GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)

Contact:
Marc Marcano, Administrative Coordinator or Shawnette Mansfield, Social Services Coordinator, (913) 281-3300.

Description:
Supports early college preparation and awareness activities for middle school and high school students residing in public housing. This program works with the youth through high school graduation and into the college years. The GEAR UP office is located at 2003 North 2nd Street, in the Juniper Gardens Family Development. It is a collaboration between seven agencies and additional agencies are added each year.

Program Start Date:
September, 1999

Program Size:
320 middle and high school youths living in public housing will be served each year.

Eligible Participants:
Youth that are middle school and high school aged and their families.

Type of Assistance:
GEAR UP provides counseling, tutoring, mentoring, and an array of other services to assist youth in public housing in attaining a higher education. The program focuses on the family as a whole, not just the student. Trips to colleges and universities allow exposure to campus life.

Contributors to the Program:
The Department of Education provides approximately $190,000 per year with dollar for dollar matching funds coming from the collaborators. Over 1.8 million dollars is committed to this program over the five-year period.

PHA Funding:
KCKHA commits full-time use of a three-bedroom unit and the part-time use of the community centers at six public housing family developments. Additionally, use of two housing authority vans to transport public housing children to and from program sites and activities. Staff assistance is provided to the program by the administrative coordinator and social services coordinator.