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A program provided by
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
In partnership with
Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. BoyceThe Goal
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) Bridges Program connects urban youth in the major cities of Ohio with the higher education community by collaborating with churches, faith-based networks, local school systems and OFIC member institutions to assist students in forming and realizing their dreams of college attendance. The Bridges Program strives to change the view that many urban students have of college – an unrealistic and unattainable goal that is available only to students from privileged backgrounds.
Ohio loses too much of the human capital of talented urban youth to this mindset. This erodes the economic base of our state and, more importantly, prevents individuals from attaining their full potential.
Bridges works with youth within the environment of their local school systems and faith communities – “safe havens” from urban pressures. Using the supportive and affirming environment of the students’ teachers, pastors, and other adults of influence in their lives, the Bridges Program seeks to establish for these students a vision of higher education that is desirable and attainable.
The Bridges Program will continue to engage students after the initial seminars by providing further sessions that help them transition into higher education. All sessions provide presenters who serve as successful role models and who can help the students create a vision for their futures.
John F. Kennedy Students of Promise ninth grade young men and women have successfully participated and completed OFIC Bridges Session One: Creative Problem Solving; primarily addressing the value of higher educaiton, its application in the real world and the different pathways one can opt in order to achieve particular life goals. In addition to the interactive and experimental learning seminar, students' questions were addressed and financial options were discussed as it relates to post-secondary education.
The following videos were made by JFK Students of Promise:
A co-sponsor of the Bridges Program is the office of the Treasurer of the State of Ohio Kevin Boyce. The Treasurer’s Office provides seminars that assist students and families with the development and implementation of spending and savings plans, both for future college attendance and for success in daily living.
“As Treasurer of the State of Ohio, one of my primary goals is to provide innovative financial education and resources, empowering Ohioans to make smart money choices. That’s why I am so pleased to work in partnership with the Bridges program offered by the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges. Together, OFIC and my office are helping to prepare young people and their families for college and beyond. As part of the Bridges program, we help young adults make informed decisions about college-related financial matters as they enter higher education and as they transition into the workforce. The reason this workshop is offered is simple: when young adults develop financial literacy skills, they are better prepared to make sound financial decisions that, in turn, benefit our community and economy.”
Kevin Boyce
Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce
30 East Broad Street, Fl 9
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-466-2160
www.yourmoneynowonline.org
Colleges Supporting Our Students
OFIC is also currently collaborating with thirteen of its member colleges and universities located in northeastern Ohio and beyond and is leveraging the strong and long-standing campus connections that exist between OFIC member institutions and faith networks as well as high schools. Participating colleges and universities are:
Ashland University
Baldwin-Wallace College
Heidelberg University
Hiram College
John Carroll University
Lake Erie College
Malone University
University of Mount Union
Notre Dame College
Oberlin College
Ursuline College
Walsh University
The College of Wooster
Scholarships
Students who complete the Bridges Program are eligible for significant scholarships at select OFIC member colleges. Depending upon the number of Bridges program sessions completed by the students and other specific criteria, annual scholarships will range from $1,000 to $10,000.
Did You Know? – The lifetime earning of a four-year
college graduate is approximately five times
that of a high school drop-out?
--US Census Data
Bridges Program: College Readiness Curriculum
The Bridges Program curriculum is a four-year program that begins in the freshman year of high school. Eight (8) seminars are offered to students within that four-year cycle. The purpose of the seminars is to help students gain personal awareness and understanding of the need for higher education in modern society. Students will be actively engaged in experiential learning activities that challenge them to blend academic, social and interpersonal skills that are so important in working and living in a multi-cultural and urban environment. These seminars are combined with college “readiness” workshops. The curriculum sequence for the Bridges Program is:
Session #1 Fall – Year I
Seminar: Creative Problem-Solving
Session # 2 Spring -- Year I
Seminar: Interpersonal Communication Skills
Session #3 Fall -- Year II
Seminar: Effective Questioning
Session #4 Spring -- Year II
Seminar: Planning Your Financial Future
Session #5 Fall – Year III
Seminar: Arranged College Visit
Session #6 Spring – Year III
Seminar: Effective Leadership and Mentoring
Session #7 Fall – Year IV
Seminar: Decision-making
Session #8 Spring – Year IV
Seminar: Time Management and Goals
Funded in part by
AT&T Foundation
Andre Thornton Foundation
GAR Foundation
Greater Cleveland Auto Dealers Association
FirstEnergy Foundation
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Reinberger Foundation
FIHE UPS Venture Fund
Third Federal Foundation
Wal-Mart First Opportunity Partners
Fund
For more information on the
Bridges Program or to register, contact:
Brandon Scarborough
Bridges Program Manager
Notre Dame College
Bridges Program/Admissions
4545 College Road
South Euclid, Ohio 44121-4293
330-957-2474
Bridges is a program offered by
The Ohio Foundation of
Independent Colleges
250 East Broad Street, Suite 1700
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-469-1950
www.ofic.org
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250
East Broad Street
Suite 1700
Columbus, OH 43215
Ph: (614) 469-1950
Fax: (614) 469-4733
ofic@ofic.org
