A program that helps teens in foster care and other students make up high school credit will be able to proceed this summer thanks to a grant of $2,500 from the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor to the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan.
The program offers online credit recovery classes taught by two teachers and also includes transportation and snacks. Six students involved in the foster care system and six academically struggling students have signed up.
Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business has generously donated computer lab space for the program this summer, which will run seven weeks, three times a week.
Last summer, ten students finished 10.5 credits. “It was great to see the confidence boost in the students,” said Elizabeth Bowker, a SAC advocate who works with youth in foster care. “They really thrived with the individualized attention.”
The Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor has been providing grants to local nonprofit organizations for more than 90 years. It is part of Kiwanis International, a worldwide service organization whose mission is, “Serving the Children of the World.” Locally the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club, which raises funds through its weekly “Thrift Sale” and “Warehouse Sale,” will distribute well over $200,000 this year to assist local nonprofit groups in improving opportunities for the children and youth of the greater Ann Arbor Community.
Community members who would like to support the summer credit recovery program are encouraged to provide donations of healthy, non-perishable snacks, games (like Scrabble) for breaks and meal gift cards (Subway).