First Generation College Bound

First Generation College Bound wishes to thank Kyle Yancey, local #JerseyMikesSubs franchise owner, for his continued support in helping students attend an affordable college with little to no debt.

In the winter of 2023, the #KimberlyGardensCommunityCenter, a low-income residential housing complex in Prince George’s County Maryland, fostered an arts education session with its #FGCB elementary to middle schoolers with the goal of offering a beginning skill set to benefit students with how to select various vinyl shapes, colors and designs to process of T-shirt pressing. Such exposure and exploration through this structured and creative activity hoped for students to inspire a new experience. Research shows that exposure to any art venue/skill increases one’s ability to think and produce more creatively, broadens curiosity, aids critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills. Consistent and intentional encounters with the arts will ultimately intensify students’ academic curiosity, engagement, and performance. Each student received one white T-shirt, choice of one multi-color cut and print image, up to three choices of different, single color various shaped images, and an image impressing tool. This activity was a success as it allowed students to design and press their own T-shirts, producing a quality product and, more importantly, provided an opportunity for the students to express their own thoughts, ideas, and individualism through art. #FGCB #FirstGenerationCollegeBound #KimberlyGardensCommunityCenter

Recollecting an exciting visit from 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞'𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 (𝐏𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒) Ronald Wilson who visited our FGCB Office. With a great smile Ron offered encouragement, appreciation and continued success supporting our students in the 𝐏𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦. #FGCB #FirstGenerationCollegeBound #PGCPS

2024 Legislative College Affordability Day January 23, 2024: A pivotal day where student and college alumni presented personal remarks of their higher educational aspirations and efforts, President and CEO of Collegiate Directions, Amma Felix spoke of legislative achievements and fiscal year 2024 priorities, and CEO and Founder, Joe Fisher underscoring the importance of students accessing public and private higher education resources on “Legislative College Affordability Day” at Governor Calvert House in Annapolis, Maryland. Members of the General Assembly learned about the significance of making higher education more affordable and the impact it has on the lives of students across the state. #CollegeAccess #FirstGeneration #FirstGenerationCollegeBound

Bill Signing Day 2024 April 25, 2024: Governor Wes Moore signed the Next Generation Scholars of Maryland Program (NGS Program) —Program Administrator—Alterations bill (HB 624 / SB 517) into law – a significant law to cement a baseline in breaking barriers for student success.  The Maryland Alliance is delivering on the promise and progress of accessible higher education for students from low-income, first-generation, and marginalized families. The Alliance successfully advocated for the Maryland Higher Education Commission, with State Department of Education support to the Commission, with the review of applications and the selection of nonprofit organizations to administer the NGS Program in local school systems.  The NGS Program was launched in 2016 for Maryland counties, which have a 50% higher free and reduced lunch rate for students. The state-wide program is supported by line item funding of $5M for non-profit programs that provide this service. The NGS Program serves as an important partner with schools, especially for counselors not trained in educating students and families on college financial aid. The NGS Program bridges the gap in having the knowledge of college affordability on need-based scholarships from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. It also demonstrates the state's commitment to establishing the pipeline for low-income students to attend college and graduate with a higher education degree. The Maryland Higher Education Commission is the state’s higher education regulatory and coordinating board, responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and private colleges and universities, as well as for the for-profit career schools. The commission also administers $130 million in financial assistance to more than 65,000 Maryland students each year.  Appreciative of FGCB staff, students, and alumni who testified and shared their work and experiences. Those who gave oral testimony include Director of Program Services Deja R. Cobbs, MSW, CPLC; our high school seniors Memuna Bangura and Syeed Mashrafi and FGCB alum Lisa Jones, testify on SB 517; and college student Taira Ford on HB 624.  Special thanks to our First Generation College Bound Alum, State Senator Alonzo Washington, District 22 Prince George’s County, who sponsored SB 517 and State Delegate Ben Barnes, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee who sponsored HB 624. #CollegeAccess #FirstGeneration #FirstGenerationCollegeBound

Happy to participate in the Annual Main Street Festival sponsored by #LaurelBoardofTrade. A wonderful opportunity for staff and volunteers to promote, recruit, and network with our #FGCB alumni. Pleased our honorary Board Member, Rena Ross, joined us to share her experiences on the #FGCB impact of her 33-year journey from the time I knocked on her door in the community of #CherryBranch. A special thank you to the #FGCBTeam for the success of another #MainStreetLaurelFestival! 

Many of the underserved communities are intimidated by social and political institutions about which they have no knowledge or experience. In the #collegeaccess industry, low-income and #firstgeneration students are often exploited due to their lack of knowledge. Since year one, First Generation College Bound has recognized the need to provide advice, encouragement, support, and advocacy for our students and their families, lessening the intimidation of the college-bound process. #fgcb

So proud of you Jordan demonstrating leadership to advocate.

The FGCB College Access Program services over 500 low- and moderate-income students at Central, DuVal, Fairmont Heights, High Point, Laurel, Parkdale, and Potomac High Schools. FGCB also partners with the Montgomery County Housing Opportunity Commission (HOC) to provide College Access services. #collegeaccess in #maryland by #fgcb