REACHing OUT 2013 Gala Recap This year’s annual Scholarship Gala was held at the Daniel Island Club on September 27 th . The event was a huge success and we would like to sincerely thank all of the sponsors, parents, volunteers and students that were involved. As most of you know, the gala is our sole resource for raising scholarship money for students in need and this year we are happy to report that we raised over $54,000! Reminder: scholarship applications are due December 5 th . Over 200 people came out to support REACH this year, including College of Charleston President and Mrs. Benson. Some of the big items we had up for auction where; tickets to Disney World, a private dinner harbor cruise, and earrings from Crogan’s Jewelry. The R.E.A.C.H program could not do what it does without the generous support of a caring community. We hope we can count on your continued patronage and that we see you at the Gala next year… where we will continue to REACH for the Stars! A Moment with our Inaugural Students We are immensely proud and honored to announce that our inaugural students will be completing the REACH program in the spring. Brian Porterfield and Will Farrior have not only inspired us, but have become a model to new students that are just embarking on their own journey into the college experience. We recently asked them to take a look back, and their reflections on their time here is truly awe-inspiring… Brian: It is great to be included in a 4-year program at a college program. People on campus see us as typical students and they see us as normal. The REACH team did everything possible for me… they help me to be organized; they help us with financial lessons, and help us break down information so we can understand it. I will miss the staff that helps us out everyday. I will miss Edie the most. Her vision is amazing and I will constantly stick by it and support it. My advice (for new students) would be to move forward and be financially ready… go for scholarships. Fight on. To people who say you can’t, tell them you can. Have the time of your life. Don’t feel like you have to conform to anyone, but don’t be afraid of change. Will: The networking is the best part about being a student at the College of Charleston… the friendships you build within your network. They start off as friendships but turn into family. (The REACH Staff) help me with interpersonal communication. This has helped me be a voice for other students and their families, to be more independent, and more focused toward the future. For example, the last two years I have been able to be a prime example of what students can do by being an orientation intern. I would tell new students to recharge and regroup when looking at what direction they want to go in life. Goals. Always have a physical goal, academic goal and a spiritual one. Having goals allows you to stay focused while enjoying all 4 years of college. Both students plan to take their success at REACH and use it to launch their careers. Brian would like to start a career in Hotel Management and to travel to cities around the country, and Will would like to have a government job while working part time for an after school ministry program. Page 1 Parent Newsletter Fall 2013 Academics, Independence, Socialization, Career Development
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Transcript
REACHing OUT
2013 Gala Recap This year’s annual Scholarship Gala
was held at the Daniel Island Club
on September 27th
. The event was a
huge success and we would like to
sincerely thank all of the sponsors,
parents, volunteers and students that
were involved.
As most of you know, the gala is our
sole resource for raising scholarship
money for students in need and this
year we are happy to report that we
raised over $54,000! Reminder:
scholarship applications are due
December 5th
.
Over 200 people came out to support
REACH this year, including College
of Charleston President and Mrs.
Benson. Some of the big items we
had up for auction where; tickets to
Disney World, a private dinner
harbor cruise, and earrings from
Crogan’s Jewelry.
The R.E.A.C.H program could not
do what it does without the generous
support of a caring community.
We hope we can count on your
continued patronage and that we see
you at the Gala next year… where
we will continue to REACH for the
Stars!
A Moment with our Inaugural Students
We are immensely proud and honored to announce that our
inaugural students will be completing the REACH program in the
spring. Brian Porterfield and Will Farrior have not only inspired us,
but have become a model to new students that are just embarking on
their own journey into the college experience. We recently asked
them to take a look back, and their reflections on their time here is
truly awe-inspiring…
Brian: It is great to be included in a 4-year program at a college
program. People on campus see us as typical students and they see
us as normal. The REACH team did everything possible for me…
they help me to be organized; they help us with financial lessons,
and help us break down information so we can understand it. I will
miss the staff that helps us out everyday. I will miss Edie the most.
Her vision is amazing and I will constantly stick by it and support it.
My advice (for new students) would be to move forward and be
financially ready… go for scholarships. Fight on. To people who
say you can’t, tell them you can. Have the time of your life. Don’t
feel like you have to conform to anyone, but don’t be afraid of
change.
Will: The networking is the best part about being a student at the
College of Charleston… the friendships you build within your
network. They start off as friendships but turn into family. (The
REACH Staff) help me with interpersonal communication. This
has helped me be a voice for other students and their families, to be
more independent, and more focused toward the future. For
example, the last two years I have been able to be a prime example
of what students can do by being an orientation intern. I would tell
new students to recharge and regroup when looking at what
direction they want to go in life. Goals. Always have a physical
goal, academic goal and a spiritual one. Having goals allows you to
stay focused while enjoying all 4 years of college.
Both students plan to take their success at REACH and use it to
launch their careers. Brian would like to start a career in Hotel
Management and to travel to cities around the country, and Will
would like to have a government job while working part time for an
after school ministry program.
Page 1
Parent Newsletter Fall 2013
Academics, Independence, Socialization, Career Development
Meet the R.E.A.C.H. Team!
Here at the REACH program of
the College of Charleston, we
like to describe our staff with one
word: Dedication. We are
dedicated to providing an
effective inclusive educational
experience. In doing this we have
the opportunity to watch our
students achieve tremendous
goals and gain respect,
independence, and pride along
the way.
We strive every day to better the
lives of our students. We do this
by working together and listening
to what our students have to say.
Recently we reflected on some of
our favorite moments from the
semester and this is what our
team members had to say…
Hannah Lund, Mentor
Coordinator, reported that a
student told her “I don’t consider
my social mentor, a mentor but I
consider her a best friend”.
Executive Director, Edie Cusack,
said one student explained to her
that he had never been treated
with respect or like a real person
with value before joining the
REACH program.
It is comments like these that
motivate us to continue our
mission. Allen Coleman,
Freshman Support Coordinators,
says, “I know I am part of
building a program that is
changing the lives of our
students.” Sophomore Support
Coordinator, Lindsey Pogar
agrees, “…the REACH program
has not only changed the
student’s lives, but it has also
changed mine.”
During the next 10 years, we
foresee growth, independence,
and success. We see ourselves as
the model for other programs
across the country and we hope
to continue Edie’s ideal that the
independent…completely
program be “strong and
independent…completely
inclusive and student
centered,”
We will accomplish this goal
and continue to provide a
unique learning opportunity for
our students using 3 important
values: student centered
planning; self-determination
and providing the opportunity
for an equal education. We do
this not because it’s our job,
but because we truly love
seeing our students succeed!
Upcoming Events
Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 27th-
Sunday, December 1st
Winter Break
After students last exam-
Wednesday, January 8th
Open House
January 24, 2014
&
April 4, 2014
Register online at:
www.reach.cofc.edu
Travel Plans for students
Before making any travel arrangements please verify with your student their class schedule. Students should not miss class in order to leave for their break early or to return late. If you or your student are uncertain of exam schedules, please contact us directly at 843-953-4849.
*Winter Break begins immediately after student’s last scheduled exam.
*Residence halls close on December 12th.
*Classes begin on January 8th. Students may return after noon on January 6th.