by Taylor Bryant
The University of West Georgia is participating in the Orange Duffel Bag initiative, a Georgia 501c3 public charity designed to improve education success, ongoing advocacy and service to the community in a spirit of offering hope and positive systematic change.
The program, held on a college campus for collegiate academic exposure, will bring together 30 at-risk Carroll County high school juniors and seniors who are at risk of not completing their secondary and post-secondary education for an intense 12-week coaching program. Participants from Central High School in Carrollton, Georgia., will engage in curriculum and experiential sessions led by ODB's seasoned, executive-level coaches once a week on UWG’s campus.
“We are thrilled to have the Orange Duffel Bag project select UWG as one of their project sites,” saysDr. Scot Lingrell, UWG vice president for Students Affairs and Enrollment Management. “The goals of the program align well with the university’s strategic plan both in the area of student success and partnership success.”
In addition, certified coaches along with youth advocates will help students realize their passions, create a comprehensive life plan and education plan, set and achieve meaningful goals, and learn strategies to overcome obstacles and stay focused on achieving their education.
“As a caring and collaborative community that values inclusion, it is important that we support community organizations that have similar values and objectives,” says Dr. Lingrell. “UWG is all about helping students succeed, and the ODB project is very focused on this same outcome.”
Each coaching class is continually measured for key long-term and short-term outcomes that include, but are not limited to, high school education achievement, standardized test prep and exam completion, entrance to college, employment, stable housing, and successful transition out of foster care or homelessness.
The initiative is also in partnership with the superintendent’s office of Carroll County Schools and partial financial support from the Governor’s Office of Children and Families. Classes are scheduled to begin March 8, 2014.
For more information on the Orange Duffel Bag initiative, visit www.theODBI.org.
