Students Rising Above Changes Lives

For the second year, I attended the Students Rising Above Gala and Fundraising event in San Francisco. I am continually blown away by these at-risk students who literally rise above their surroundings with hard work and dedication to become graduates of top universities around the country. Students Rising above works with students who are the first in their families to go to college. Many of them come from families stricken by poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, and spousal and child abuse. The statistics are jaw-dropping: 50% have been abandoned or homeless, and 25% are raising siblings. But they find a way to focus and excel in school. The key note speaker last night was a young man who, at age 10, called 911 when his drug-addicted mother brandished a butcher's knife at his sister while screaming at her. He has since graduated from college and is now working to bring resources into his old neighborhood so that more kids growing up like he did will get a chance to rise out of the situation. It was a moving presentation, and not an unusual story among these amazing young men and women.

Students rising above provides tutoring and college application guidance in high school, scholarships for college tuition, and mentoring support throughout their college careers. As a result of their support, 90% of their students graduate from college. This is an amazing record considering that roughly 55% of college students nationwide graduate within 6 years (higheredinfo.org).

A+ Home Tutors is proud to work with Students Rising Above students - we provide in-home tutoring for their high school students and online tutoring for their college students. Our tutors love working with Students Rising Above students because they are truly remarkable young men and women. Attending the Gala last night and seeing the wonderful financial and volunteer support was inspiring, and it reminded me that there are good things happening every day in this world.

For more info on Students Rising Above, and how you can get involved and/or support this amazing organization, visit their website: www.studentsrisingabove.org