It’s always excellent to see our commitment to improving and expanding impact—to building on something that works well.

That’s certainly what has been taking place across our Adolescence sites lately. You might remember, in the last academic year, that Ruben Rivera led a team of Children’s Aid volunteers to help teens and their parents conquer the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, aka FAFSA. The group hit five sites and each evening was a resounding success.

This year, Ruben and Amani Gheith, also in our College Success program, expanded to eight sites: Opportunity Charter School, Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women, Bronx Career and College Prep, Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, Bronx Preparatory, Hope Leadership Academy, Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, and the African American Male Initiative.

All told, more than 250 young men and women have gotten a jump on the often complicated (and potentially frustrating) task of arranging for financial aid. And when they apply early, their chances increase for stronger financial aid packages.

Here’s to another successful year of seeing our kids take a big step toward college success.