Education Recognition and Back Pack Challenge Program

Posted by on August 13, 2007

Event recognizes foster youth going to school

The Achieving Independence Center (AI Center), which provides services to youth transitioning out of foster care, will host the third annual Education Recognition and Back Pack Challenge Program on Thursday, August 16th from 1-3pm at Temple?s Ritter Hall, near 13th Street at Cecil B. Moore Avenue.

The event will recognize foster youth who will attend an institution of higher education in the summer or fall or are returning to high school. It is also the culmination of the AI Center?s Backpack Challenge, a drive to collect backpacks and supplies for foster youth preparing to attend school. The backpacks and supplies will be presented to each of the youth honored at the event.

In addition, foster youth that are members of the AI Center and are currently either returning to school or attending post secondary education will receive a laptop computer, wireless Internet connection and tech support from Wireless Philadelphia.

The AI Center was established to help these young people make a successful transition and achieve better outcomes. The Center, a collaborative effort of 12 community-based organizations, is a one-stop shop where youth can access a full range of independent living services to meet their individual needs. It provides comprehensive instruction on daily life skills, money management, self care, and personal and social development. It also provides family planing services, HIV prevention counseling and education and job readiness training. Members even have an opportunity to train in the field of hospitality at the Center?s Independence Caf?.

For more information, contact Evelyn Busby, Program Director at ebusby@aicenter.us or 267-514-3554.