For more than a decade, the On Point for College program has supported low income students as they reach their dream of going to college. Friday night many of those students attended a dinner to celebrate the program and their accomplishments.
Shamera Tillman says she would never have earned her bachelor's degree without help from On Point. "I don't know where i'd be right now," said Tillman. "They helped me do things I didn't even think I could do."
The organization helped Tillman every step of the way from campus visits, to and finding a way for her to afford her education. Like Tillman, 98% of On Points students are the first in their family to go to college and more than 70% return for their sophomore year.
Majak Dut moved to the U.S to escape the war in South Sudan. He says On Point put him on track to get a great job at CNS and earn 3 degrees including a Bachelors and Masters from Syracuse University.
"There is just so much joy and when the students tell their stories and you see how amazing these people are, if we were able to make it just a little bit easier for them to get to their dream than it's nothing but an honor," said On Point Founder Ginny Donohue.
Dut and Tillman are just two of the 10 success stories featured Friday night, and a fraction of the young adults that have bettered their future with the help of On Point. Since the organizations start, it's helped more than 2,700 inner city kids go on to college. Last year, mentors made 594 trips to colleges to help students.
"Without a support system," said Tillman. "I don't think I would have made it. It feels good, it feels really good."
The organization is funded through family foundations, the United Way and donations. Click here for information on how you can help.
