Leadership Memphis is working to raise $25,000 to send 400 Shelby County high school students on local and regional college and career tours this summer. And through a generous dollar for dollar match by the Turley Family Foundation, that $25,000 will instantly become the needed $50,000.
The impact of these tours for students' futures is undeniable. "Many high school juniors and seniors have no concept of what a 2-year or 4-year college, or even a vocational school, are, and they don't know what is required to apply and be accepted," said David Williams, President and CEO at Leadership Memphis.
Educating students on their post-secondary options not only creates a brighter future for them; it boosts our city's overall workforce. Development of Memphis' workforce requires more young people earning more degrees and credentials. "We know that 44 percent of Shelby County School students who graduated in 2014 did not enroll in a post-secondary opportunity. That's nearly 6,000 students left behind once they graduated high school. Our youth deserve better," said Williams. "College and career tours are a proven, highly effective way to inform students about their post-high school aspirations."
It costs $45 to take one student on a local college and career tour and $450 to take one student on a 3-day/2-night regional college and career tour. So for $22.50 someone in the community can sponsor one student for a local tour, and for $225 someone can sponsor one student for a regional tour.For every dollar raised before
March 1, 2015 the Turley Family Foundation will match it with another dollar, so now is the time to throw in your support.
Do your part by clicking
here.
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