What would you say about the prospects for youth growing up in a community that:
● Has a high school drop-out rate more than twice the national average?
● Was one of the three worst communities in Chicago for violence against youth in 2008?
● Had the highest incidence of drug-related arrests for all ages in Chicago in 2008?
● Single-parent families make up more than two-thirds of all households with children?
● Includes, of the population 25 and older, only 7% holding a
Bachelor’s degree or higher (versus over 24% nationally)?

These bleak statistics are reflective of the Austin community and represent very real implications for the children growing up here. We at Circle Urban recognize the need to provide an alternative to the daunting obstacles facing youth in our community – specifically those who attend or have graduated from our on-site elementary school, Catalyst Circle-Rock. This alternative should:
● Ensure entrance into quality high schools well suited for each student.
● Ensure a high rate of high school graduation by students served.
● Practically equip students for entrance into colleges and careers of their choice.
● Develop leaders who will be assets and change agents in our community.
● Promote pro-social behavior within the context of a pro-social peer group.

This past October, Circle launched the College Readiness Program (CRP), offering in-depth high school and college preparation for Catalyst middle schoolers and recent graduates. Our vision is that this program will grow to serve students from 7th through 12th grades, ensuring each student’s preparation for post-secondary success with a promising vision for his or her future.

CRP is based on a foundation of thorough research and best-practice data. The research process helped us to identify “5 Core Factors” related to high school success and college preparedness which include:
1) Academic rigor
2) Development of college and career aspirations
3) Parental involvement and parental knowledge about college and career readiness
4) Social and cultural support
5) Access to college and career information

In this pilot year, we are operating CRP within our youth mentoring program. College Readiness is currently serving a cohort of Catalyst Circle-Rock (CCR) students in eighth grade as well as a cohort of CCR graduates who are currently freshmen and sophomores in high school. We hope to add a cohort of 7th grade students this winter, with a total enrollment goal of 20-25 students during the first year of the College Readiness Program.

Students in 8th grade engage in formal College Readiness programming three afternoons per week, and high school students have programming twice per week. Programming for CRP is reflected in the acronym, “CLASS”, providing each participating student with:
College Preparation – Programming includes visits to college campuses and career sites that serve to broaden students’ horizons and give them glimpses into the possibilities that are out there.
Leadership Development – Community service is a key program element where students are given the opportunity to impact their community through service to others.
Academic Assistance – Each programming session includes a Study Hour, where students are provided with a quiet setting to complete homework and to receive assistance as needed from program staff.
Spiritual Development – Program times include regular time for Bible study and discussion with students to regularly point them to the God who deeply loves them.
Social Opportunities – We desire to see cohorts of students in CRP develop into a pro-social community which will serve to spur its members on through high expectations of one another.

While we have only just begun College Readiness, we are already receiving positive feedback from our students and their families:
“What I appreciate about being in College Readiness is I am getting extra help with things and I’m not in the streets, I am safe here.” - 8th grade boy
“I appreciate that I have the good opportunity to go to different places and I appreciate the Bible study, which will prepare you mentally because you will go into college with a Christ-like attitude.” - 8th grade girl
“It is helping my son to realize that what he does today affects his future. We tell them this often but with this program they can see that it does.” - Mother of high school participant

While College Readiness is in its infancy, we believe it has the potential to make great strides toward the mission of Circle Urban Ministries to “transform lives and community through the applied power of the whole gospel of Jesus Christ.”

In an era of deep cuts and cost reduction, we are amazed at the gracious hand of God in “opening the windows of heaven” through the awarding of two significant grants from private foundations. These grants provided resources to research, design and begin the College Readiness Program.

Our specific challenge to YOU is that one of the foundations awarded a MATCHING GRANT. We need you to help us meet that match! You can partner with us to transform the lives and futures of Austin’s young people by giving toward this $25,000 matching grant that supports the College Readiness Program. Gifts of every amount will be deeply appreciated by our students and their families.

Thank you for the prayers and gifts you are making toward the future of the youth who are being served at Circle Urban Ministries!