The Sutton Trust Launches Yale Summer School Program for Underprivileged Teens

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By DouglasPosted In: EducationTagged: , , , ,

Yale University is teaming up with the Sutton Trust to enable gifted but disadvantaged teens to get a real education in a new summer school program.

The project is similar to those already launched in the UK, and hopes to help 64 students within its first year. First priority goes to adolescents from homes with an income lower than $53, 550 a year. Recruiting begins on April 16th, and the classes will most likely be held in July.

The school, which is also in partnership with the Fulbright Commission, opens as U.S. college applications increase by the thousands. Harvard University has had a 45% increase in applications over the past couple of years. Still, according to the Sutton Trust, most applications come from private schools. 

Mr. Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust, said “Studying at a US university is an appealing prospect to many UK state school students. The breadth of the four-year degree and the chance to experience another culture will make for an intellectually stimulating and fun time.

“With tuition fees increasing dramatically in England, and some generous financial aid packages in the U.S., it is also more attractive than before from a cost perspective.

“If successful, we intend to establish man more US summer schools next year and beyond- opening a pipeline for UK students to reap the benefits of higher education at leading US universities.”

The trust is proud to run seven leading university summer school programs. More than 1,000 students are affected each year, and three quarters end up at a leading selective university, Sutton Trust said.

i.am Angel Foundation

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By M. MarksPosted In: EducationTagged: , ,

 

Trans4mation Experience

Will.i.am, front man of the Black Eyed Peas of i.am Angel Foundation, was at the Hollywood Palladium hosting a benefit concert – the Trans4mation Experience – to raise money for I. M. Education, one of the branches of the Foundation.  A staggering $5m was raised from this one event.

Superman

The event was inspired by ‘Waiting for Superman’ the 2010 documentary on public education in America.  As Will.i.am said, “Superman is not coming to save no neighborhood or no education system…That’s the reason why I’m doing what I am doing because that movie hits straight to heart because my mom went to one of those schools.”

It wasn’t a solo act though.  Other than Fergie, Will.i.am brought in the rest of the Black Eyed Peas and those at the concert were privy to the sounds and musical talents of Stevie Wonder, Ne-Yo, K’Naan, and Flo Rida.   As well, videos were shown, which among other things, drew focus on students in Boyle Heights, where Will.i.am grew up and the struggle he endured in such a poor educational climate. 

Foundation Background

The foundation has been working in the field of education since its inception in 2009 through three branches: i.am First (after school programs set up to encourage school kids in the field of engineering and technology); i.am Home (battling the foreclosure housing crisis); and i.am Scholarship (giving potential leaders the financial resources needed for post-secondary education).

But it was Will.i.am himself who established the i.am Scholarship branch focusing on media; computer science and more.  In addition, he seeks to provide these potential leaders with professional opportunities at Dipdive.com once they have completed their education. In his words, “more than just financial aid, the i.am scholarship is an investment in our future.”

Glee Cast Plans Charity Concert for Give a Note Campaign

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Last year, the cast of Fox Television’s “Glee” went on tour and amassed $40.85 million. This year, according to the Hollywood Reporter, no tour is to be held.

Instead, Glee’s organizers are working on a new charity concert to benefit the “Glee” Give a Note campaign, which provides funding for music education programs in schools. The performance will take place at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles later this year.

Inspired by Ryan Murphy, the show’s executive producer and co-creator, “Glee” Give a Note was launched by Fox TV in association with the Give a Note Foundation, founded by the National Association for Music Education.

In 2011 alone, the ‘Glee’ Give a Note campaign provided $1 million to 73 schools across the nation. Each time “Glee: the Complete Second Season” was sold, $1 was added the Give a note campaign.

Jane Balek, Give a Note COO and NAfME assistant executive director, said both Murphy and Fox TV are “truly supportive of the mission of MAfME and its Give a Note foundation.” She added that they “would be thrilled” to continue working together.

Delancey Street Foundation

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The Delancey Street Foundation has been in operation since 1971, at which time it started with a mere ten dollars (on loan), four residents, and a larger-than-life dream to help those in poverty, on drugs, former felons and others who hit bottom, turn their lives around.

Today, in 2012, the foundation has achieved a lot but is still trying to help those who have been left behind by society and have not been able to get on their feet sufficiently. Those who are in poverty, or dealing with a teen pregnancy, or cannot read or write, etc., are all looking for a better life and it is the foundation’s mission to help them achieve that.

The average time one spends at the facility is four years (they need to remain there at least two years, but most stay longer).  Following that, those who have been at the Delancey Street Foundation will have gained an: “academic education, three marketable skills, accountability and responsibility, dignity, decency, and integrity.”

Thus it is clear that while there is still much work to be done, the Delancey Street Foundation is achieving its aims – helping the down and out get back on their feet and live a better quality life.