Celebrating Another Year of 100% College Enrollment
BLCI breaks the cycle of poverty by preparing underserved students to be the first in their families to go to college through after-school programs that begin in third grade. BLCI seeks to close the achievement gap, increase opportunities and decrease disparities in access to education resources among low-income students. This June, BLCI will see 100% of their High School Seniors graduate and enroll in college – but the program support does not end there.
If you are 1st generation college student and qualify as low income like that of BLCI’s population, the average college completion rate is a mere 21%. For students in the general population rate in California, the graduation rate is not much higher at 55%. Yet BLCI students have the highest graduation rate at 72%, exceeding the national average for all segments and more than tripling the rate of their student counterparts who did not benefit from a program like BLCI.
Melissa Saldana is a BLCI Alumna who just completed her first year at Saint Mary’s College of California. Melissa is a biology major with plans to attend medical school and she attributes BLCI workshops for helping her be successful her freshman year, “BLCI helped prepare me with weekly workshops. During my senior year, we talked about tips and tricks for surviving college, including learning how to manage your finances, how to get financial aid, understanding your limits, knowing how to study for yourself, how to have a balanced student life, and so much more. I have taken what I learned from BLCI and used it in college numerous times.”
BLCI has committed to a growth strategy over the next 3 years that will focus on meeting the increased demand for services in Chula Vista and El Cajon Communities. This strategy will help identify more kids like Melissa, who have a dream of being the first in their family to attend college, but just need to be made aware of the path to get them there.
BLCI hosts weekly tours for interested volunteers, supporters and businesses looking for a way to give back. Visit www.BLCI.org for details.
