Youth Program / College Preparation
In 2007, Reading and Beyond operated the College Preparation Program in partnership with California State University, Fresno, for middle and high school students in the rural city of Firebaugh. This program guided the students in career planning, brought in guest speakers, took students to tour multiple colleges and universities. During the summer the students got their first taste of camping. A group of 38 students participated in a week-long wilderness and camping experience where they learned about teamwork, preserving natural resources, and all learned how to swim and fish.
In December of 2007, we received Upward Bound funding from the U.S. Department of Education to expand the College Preparation Program. With these new funds, Reading and Beyond is working with Central Unified School District to increase the number of students in Central Unified who go on to attend and ultimately graduate from college.
