Educational boost program sets open house
It is hard not to like a program named GOOD, a pilot project begun this summer to intervene in the education of low-income youths in danger missing out on their potential.
Growing Our Own Destiny is a program for 25 Yuma High School at-risk freshmen whose prior history deems them unlikely to finish high school. So GOOD ministers them through social and academic support, job training and advocacy.
GOOD will host an open house Tuesday from 5:30 7 p.m. at the YHS Research Basement Room 6.
These are students from single-parent homes with low-achievement records, said David Rosales, GOOD youth advocate.
"Our goal is to make these students successful academically and get them on a career path that is sustaining. We want them to get a high school diploma and then enrolled in college or vocational school for further training."
Although administered through Yuma High School, GOOD started from a desire by the Yuma Business and Education Council (YBEC) to coordinate academia with private industry needs.
YBEC, a group of 35 business leaders and educators, organized three years ago to revitalize education. Gary Knox, a former school superintendent, and Ken Rosevear, executive director of Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, helped found the organization.
Rosales noted by having YBEC members mentor students from the time they're freshmen through two years of postsecondary training, they hope to match students up with a potential employer who can nurture a student's particular career interest.
But many of them are not of working age yet so they are trying to prepare them for employment by channeling them into proper curriculum. To do that, GOOD has screened several powerpoint presentations this fall that foster good study skills, said Tanya Gettsinger, GOOD program supervisor.
GOOD wants to groom its students on how to study for exams, take notes, manage time, but especially how to work as a team. Also students need life skills critical for the workplace. These are the "six pillars of character": trustworthiness, caring, citizenship, responsibility, fairness and respect, Gettsinger said.
"I think the kids are off to an excellent start and by meeting this summer, they had a chance to bond and really establish a foundation. We set some high expectations and they're trying to attain that level."
Tuesday's open house is also the first chance for YBEC members to meet with GOOD students who wrote a letter thanking YBEC for initiating the program.
Dennis Franklin, owner of Franklin Tire & Suspension and a YBEC member, said GOOD is the first baby step of many more needed to get to where they want to go.
"GOOD shows students why they're learning. It provides reality checks on how classroom learning applies in the real world."
But a lot of work lies ahead, Franklin said. Back when General Motors was making plans to open its hot-weather test track in Yuma, he tried to persuade Bridgestone Tire to form a partnership with GM on the project. Bridgestone told him Yuma did not have a large enough educated work force to relocate.
But Franklin noted if plans proceed the way YBEC envisions, Yuma will see unparalleled progress. He added that Yuma has a wonderful base of phenomenal teachers.
"We're trying to change the culture, change the way schools prepare for the workplace. Under the present economic climate, it puts a damper on things. But we're relentless and we'll get to our goals."
