For someone to keep doing the hard work on the path to success, they need to see a destination…a dream that keeps them going despite setbacks. For young people who may be the first in their family to go to college, part of that dream is to get a feel for the college experience, imagine themselves on campus and learn what it takes academically for them to get there.
That’s what the Metro Youth YMCA does for high school students that participate in the program. Every year, MY-Y staff take a busload of 45 students on a tour of Southern colleges and universities. They visit both historically black colleges and universities such as Spelman and Morehouse, as well as mainstream universities such as Vanderbilt and Clemson.
The tour runs April 21-27th this year, while students will be on spring break. While their peers might be heading south to sun themselves on a beach or party, these young people are using their spring break trips to prepare for their future. But that comes at a price: It costs $725 per student to pay for lodging, food and activities during the trip. Students are selling katydids and peanut butter cups to defray the cost of the trip.
MY-Y is also looking for sponsors. Sponsorships are available from $600, which provides a full scholarship for one student or admission into a cultural activity for 45 students, to the youth champion level of $5,000, which provides full scholarships for 8 students or partial scholarships for all 45 students who attend. For information on giving opportunities, contact Terri Mial at (313) 223-2841 or tmial@ymcadetroit.org.