With today’s workplace becoming more competitive and the demand for a post-secondary degree/technical training increasing, the need for students to gain the necessary tools to successfully graduate high school and move on to post-secondary education is crucial.
To provide these opportunities, Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has awarded Champions For Learning $160,000 to support the Real World Learning Model/College and Career Prep Program.
This program originally began when Champions For Learning received emerging data from the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) that showed that many students all across Collier County, but particularly Golden Gate High School, were not meeting the benchmarks they needed to access post-secondary education or credentials. The Real World Learning Model grew out of this data. Over the past three years, there has been significant progress at Golden Gate High School. The program has also expanded to include a lab located at the Champions For Learning’s offices that helps students from various high schools and regardless of their income level.
“We understand the value of education and learning these real-world skills,” says Richard Schulze, Founder of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, “and we are proud to say that through the funding of the Real World Learning Model College and Career Prep Program, we are providing support for the next generation of leaders. We look forward to helping more families through this work.”
The Real World Learning Model’s impact can be seen through the students involved in the program.
“Being in the program has helped me expand my social relationships,” says one Real World Learning Model student, “interacting with the staff mentors and volunteers has helped me get out of my shell because in order for them to help me, I must advocate for myself.”
With the range of programs and services, Champions For Learning will be serving approximately 2,500 students this year.