WILMINGTON, Del., April 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Walnut Street YMCA Black Achievers program will hit the road on a multi-state tour to visit colleges and universities in South and North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Navient Foundation contributed $5,000 to the week-long college tour. Funds will help cover educational and enrichment activities, travel and a visit to Say-It Music, where participants will produce an original song about their journey.
“Black Achievers is not just a Saturday college prep program,” said Anesha Truesdale, program director for Black Achievers and teen programs at the Walnut Street YMCA. “It’s a movement, a community and a village of people who pour their hearts into making sure that young people have the resources and opportunities they need to be successful.”
The annual college tour has been part of the Black Achievers program since 2003. This year, 22 students will participate in the tour, which takes place April 21 through April 26. YMCA organizers say the annual college tour is a key component in motivating students to pursue higher education. In 2018, 100 percent of the program’s graduating seniors enrolled in college. In addition to the college tour, the program also visits schools in the First State throughout the year.
Each year since 2014, Navient employees have volunteered on the annual spring tour to support students. This year, employees Barbara Watkins, Camille Fletcher and Brianna Huff will join students.
“As an adult achiever, I am dedicated to mentoring and providing participating youth with the tools and resources they need to confidently pursue and complete their higher education,” said Huff. “The college tour reassures each student that their dreams are in reach and can be accomplished. It fills my heart with joy and gives me a peace of mind knowing that these students are our future.”
The YMCA’s Black Achievers program engages participating students through mentorship, workplace and college tours, and workshops on a variety of career awareness topics every Saturday morning.
For more information about the Black Achievers program, contact the Walnut Street YMCA at 302-472-YMCA or YMCADE.org/BlackAchievers.
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About Navient
Navient (Nasdaq: NAVI) is a leader in education loan management and business processing solutions for education, healthcare and government clients at the federal, state and local levels. The company helps its clients and millions of Americans achieve financial success through services and support. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Navient also employs team members in western New York, northeastern Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and other locations. Learn more at Navient.com.
Contact:
Media: Nikki Lavoie, 302-283-4057, Nikki.lavoie@navient.com
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