COLLEGE FOR TEENS PROGRAM

HISTORY: 

The Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. established the College for  Teens Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in May 2001. The King Association’s founder and  president, Dr. C. DeLores Tucker, saw a need for comprehensive educational support for Philadelphia’s  school children. She envisioned a holistic program that would encompass providing year-round  academic reinforcement, counseling, tutorial assistance and mentoring to Philadelphia’s struggling  secondary students. The College for Teens Program (CFT), provides a unique model for equipping  African American and minority high school students with the tools needed to succeed in high school and  beyond while preparing and encouraging them to seek higher education.  

This youth development program emphasizes four major components: an After-school tutorial and  enrichment program ASTEP; a 6 to 8 week Summer College Campus College Residency (SUCCES)  and Day Program; a year-round Mentoring/Career Development and Life Skills Program (MCLS); and  “Educational Ambassadors of Nonviolence” Club.  

The overall goal of our pre-college program is to increase the number of low-income and minority  students who successfully complete high school and are prepared to enter and succeed in college. The  College for Teens program is uniquely configured to provide an intensive career education mentoring  program, delivered on a college campus; that exposes students to diverse career opportunities beginning  at age twelve. A key element of the program is to target students who are in greatest need and prepare  them to embrace high educational aspirations that lead to professional careers. All students will remain in the program from grade seven through college.  

Alarming numbers of Philadelphia African-American and other minority youth are already being  programmed for future dead-end jobs or unemployment by the choices made by them or for them during  high school years. A critical factor resulting in children expanding their concept of what career paths are  realistic options for them is to acquaint them with adults of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds  who have succeeded in non-traditional careers. Besides conveying - by who and what they are- that this  position is achievable, these adults are also able to convey a realistic portrait of what was required for  their achievement and why various school choices are important in selecting that path. To stop the cycle  of early, low expectations leading to poor performance in high school years, failure to reach college, and  future stagnation in low-paying jobs or unemployment, early intervention is essential! The College for  Teens program allow our participants to take A step at a time toward Success, adding the Muscle of  mentoring and support to produce educated, contributing, positive young adults. Thus, making them  “Educational Ambassadors of Nonviolence”. 

Finally, students may enter the College for Teens Program at twelve and remain until College. The  King Association makes it possible through fundraising to ensure that the program operates fully and  that students will be able to attend at no cost. 

Please visit our website at www.philadelphiamlk.org to see highlights of the program