October 3, 2019

Rose Martin, RSM, Executive Director, Hope Partnership for Education

Hope Partnership for Education is a co-sponsored ministry of the Society of Holy Child Jesus.

College.

This one, single word can bring up a multitude of emotions for high school students. Merely hearing the word “college” can cause students feelings of excitement and anticipation for new opportunities, while students simultaneously experience stress and anxiety for the unknown future.

Many students find themselves asking, “How do I choose a major?” Or “Where should I attend college?” and “How will I pay for all of this?” These questions can make navigating the college process incredibly difficult.

As Hope Partnership continues to grow, so does our Graduate Support Program. The program addresses the confusion and strain of the college application process. We are proud to announce that Hope’s Graduate Support Program held its first annual College Conference this summer. The conference, which took place during the last week of August, was offered to Junior and Senior high school Hope alumni.

This year’s College Conference emphasized selecting a college major, as well as researching schools to which students anticipated applying. During the week, students heard from various guests speaking on their college journey, offering expertise and tips to ease the process. Additionally, students toured Community College of Philadelphia and Temple University. The tours were a huge hit among the Hope Alumni, as it was the first time for many to truly visit a school.

Students also gained financial literacy skills and learned how to navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Dre’ana, a high school senior, stated, “I am so happy that we learned about FAFSA. I’m relieved because now I understand the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans!”

Our First Annual College Conference was a huge success! The Graduate Support program looks forward to offering this program each summer to our outstanding alumni!