The 21 Kids Foundation will announce a new partnership with the Educational Opportunity Center at Gadsden State Community College. The announcement will take place on the field of Titan Stadium prior to the kick-off of the Gadsden City High vs. Cullman High play-off game set for 7 p.m. Friday.
Through the partnership, the 21 Kids Foundation will provide financial assistance with childcare and transportation expenses for students attending the EOC.
“We are thrilled about the partnership with 21 Kids Foundation,” said Dr. Cheryl Sington, director of the EOC. “The support will help ease the burdens our students face when it comes to providing childcare while they are receiving benefits and services at the EOC. Transportation will cease being a barrier for our students who want to improve their lives through education. Childcare and transportation will no longer be issues for them.”
In 2013, Gadsden native and football stand-out Dre Kirkpatrick established the 21 Kids Foundation to impact the lives of disadvantaged youth. Now the mission of the foundation has evolved to include the families raising the children in impoverished and disadvantaged homes.
“We have consistently serviced disadvantaged youth in Etowah County for almost a decade but we have since shifted our focus to assisting the parents and guardians who are responsible for the safety, the education, the encouragement and the upbringing of these children,” Kirkpatrick said. “We are focusing on the adult population so that our children are raised in healthy, loving, productive households.”
The EOC is a federal TRIO program that provides opportunities for academic development, including academic tutoring; guidance on secondary school re-entry and entry to a general education development program; career workshops; and financial literacy seminars. It also aids in course selection, preparation for college entrance exams, completion of college admissions applications and applying for financial aid. It is funded with a $232,050 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Members of media are welcome to attend the announcement and photo opportunity at Gadsden City High School. For more information, contact Sington at 256.549.8607.
For more information about the EOC, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/TRIO. More information on the 21 Kids Foundation can be found at drekirk21kids.com.
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