Congressman Michaud Visits Goodwill’s College Access Corps at Waterville High School
Congressman tours program that helps to increase college enrollment rates of Maine high school students
Waterville – Congressman Mike Michaud visited the College Access Corps (CAC) program at Waterville High School today. The CAC is a new AmeriCorps program that places individual AmeriCorps members in high schools throughout Maine. AmeriCorps members work with a high school and college/university to increase the college enrollment rates of high school students. The Congressman toured the program, shared a few words, and met one on one with Waterville High students.
Waterville High School is one of six high schools currently participating in the program. Other participating schools are Bonny Eagle HS (Standish), Carrabec HS (North Anson), Mount Ararat HS (Topsham), Oxford Hills Comprehensive HS (South Paris), and Sanford Regional Vocational Center (Sanford). The program encourages collaboration between high schools and institutions of higher education throughout the state to improve access to college for all Maine students. Members work primarily with students who are a higher risk of not achieving their post-secondary goals – low-income, academically at-risk, and potential first-generation students.
Catherine Mitchell, CAC Program Coordinator, noted that AmeriCorps members have made contact with thousands of students since its launch in September, 2009. “Currently, our six members are actively working one-on-one with 404 high school juniors and seniors, and have reached thousands of others – 2,658 through April 1 – through presentations, classroom visits, and school activities.” Congressman Mike Michaud noted that the program has had a great impact on reaching out to students to encourage post-secondary schooling. “It was great to meet with the students and those involved in this important initiative,” said Congressman Michaud. “Programs like the Maine College Access Corps help our students succeed in higher education, and help our country develop a highly skilled workforce.”
The College Access Corps, funded by the Maine Commission for Community Service, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is a pilot project of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England and Maine Campus Compact. Goodwill has had six years of sustained high performance in placing AmeriCorps volunteers at small nonprofit organizations to strengthen community engagement and impact through their Community Resource Corps. Maine Campus Compact, a membership organization of 17 college presidents focused on helping campuses develop active citizen problem-solving skills in their students, has more than a decade of experience connecting Maine campuses to their surrounding communities.
For more information, please contact Catherine Mitchell at catherine.mitchell@goodwillnne.org.
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Goodwill Industries of Northern New England has a 77-year history of providing innovative services that help individuals with disabilities or other barriers achieve social and economic independence. Goodwill’s Workforce Solutions helps people find good jobs and supports individuals through our developmental disability services, deaf services and brain injury programs. Last year, we served over 7,000 individuals with education, job training, and support services as they work to achieve their independence. Our programs are funded by revenue from our 26 retail stores, grants, and financial gifts. Please visit www.goodwillnne.org for more information.
