Providence Promise Announces Enrollment Milestone
Program will leverage the support of City and State leaders, Providence families, and other stakeholders to expand access to and affordability of higher education.
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge Elorza, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, and many other members of the local community joined Providence Promise yesterday afternoon at the State House Library to announce and celebrate the enrollment of the program’s 250th Promise student.
This announcement comes less than a year and a half after the public launch of the Providence Promise program. Beginning in the summer of 2017, the program initiated its recruitment and enrollment efforts of Providence Public School students in grade eight and below. Cities, counties, and states across the country have joined the Promise Movement in an effort to make post-secondary education accessible and affordable for more students. Providence Promise is one of more than 200 programs in over 40 states.
“It is more important than ever for an organization like Providence Promise because we know that at least 90% of all new jobs created that do not exist today will require a post-secondary degree,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “It is important for us to embed in our kids’ minds that they are going to college from a very young age.”
The goal of the organization is to increase the secondary and post-secondary success of Providence children by reducing the financial burden of higher education and creating a college going culture throughout the public schools and the larger community. Providence Promise’s unique model combines aspects from several different types of programs with demonstrated success in increasing aspirations in students and families, improving academic outcomes, and driving economic development. Through this hybrid approach, the program ensures that families, the community, and students all have a stake in the future success of Providence’s youth. “Similar to other Promise communities, our Providence Promise will level the financial playing field for Providence Public school students, create a college-going culture, produce a trained workforce, and bolster economic development for the City and the State,” stated Richard Lappin, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Providence Promise.
“It (preparing for higher education) seems daunting to do alone…to have Providence Promise there to say, ‘you’re not alone,’ means something,” said Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea. “Kids are going to be able to reach beyond what they might have otherwise. Providence Promise is here to tell families, ‘we are going to be with you as you invest in your future.’”
Providence Promise parent, Christine Davis, shared a moving, personal testimony of the program. Christine is the proud parent of four daughters, aged 9, 7, 5, and 3, each of whom she has enrolled in the program and has started a college savings account for. “I believe that we are
the biggest advocates for our children’s future,” said Ms. Davis. “Providence Promise has given me hope. Hope that it is possible for me to be the biggest support in my children’s’ lives. That I can make a difference in their future…The Providence Promise program gave me hope that I too
could witness my children have a better life… If you have a dream for your family and the weight of the world has not given you much hope, there is a way through Providence Promise.”
“Founded by Richard Lappin, Providence Promise represents a long-term investment strategy that starts with the financial commitment of parents. As we aim to double our enrollment, we all must invite stakeholders from the business, foundation, corporate, volunteer, school and parent
communities to help us expand our circle of partners and double our efforts in Providence so that collectively we can help today’s students in Providence reach their full potential as the employees and leaders that Providence’s future will need,” said Executive Director Frank Cruz.
Each Promise Student has their own 529 college savings account and will be eligible to receive up to $20,000 per year in “Gap Funding” to finance a higher education program of his/her choice, including two-year and four-year colleges and universities, as well as trade and technical schools. Through the end of 2019, Providence Public School students in the eighth grade and below will remain eligible for enrollment in the program; after this time, only students entering the school district for the first time will be eligible.