JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Continued Education Support Services (ACCESS), 17 N. Market St., is a nonprofit organization that exists to assist parents and students with financial aid and scholarship information to help them succeed in their postsecondary education.
“We are in all nine school districts in the county, and it is our passion to share what we know to help others learn how to pay for college,” said Irene Skleres, ACCESS program director.
It is not enough to make high school juniors and seniors aware of and plan for financial aid for college; the decision to go to college must begin much earlier, said Paula Gbiz, GEAR UP Coordinator, Conneaut High School and Middle School.
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a grant through the Ohio Department of Education, and its staff works alongside ACCESS staff in exposing middle-school students to possible vocations.
“If we can find ways for young students to learn about different careers and what education or training it takes to have that career, they can begin to plan for their future,” Gbiz said.
“Job shadowing and mentorship programs are critical to expose kids to what they can achieve, and then we provide them with tools and encouragement to reach their goals,” said Kimberly Landis, ACCESS executive director. “Someone told me college is an awful expensive place to decide what you want to do.”
Some of the programs that ACCESS/ GEAR UP provides are junior high presentations, lunch with a professional, ACT test workshops, college fairs, financial aid information nights, college planning parent nights, College by Six and more.
The key to educating young students about career goals and obtaining a college mind-set is involvement from the community and money donations to keep the programs available.
“We need more businesses and professionals to get involved by providing job shadowing and mentorship opportunities, by offering scholarships to area students, and by helping to fund ACCESS,” Landis said. “ACCESS is funded by grant money and individual donations, and in this economy the first thing to go are the grants.”
ACCESS is hosting its first fundraiser: ACCESS Pass to the Wineries, a $225 value for only $99 to enjoy the wineries and their events. The pass is valid through Dec. 31. Participating wineries include Chalet Debonné, Ferrante’s, Grand River, Harpersfield, Lakehouse, Laurello’s, Spring Hill and Ohio Wine Producers. To order ACCESS Pass to the Wineries, call 440-576-3125 or look online (www.accessashtabula.org).
Local News
ACCESS asks support of the community
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