MEET SOME FOCUS FORWARD STUDENTS

Jason is a freshmen communications major at Medger Evers College in Brooklyn with his own radio show on the CUNY station. He is also a 2009 graduate of Automotive High School, where he participated in United Way’s CAPS/Focus Forward program.

Like many of the students in Focus Forward, Jason was raised by his elderly grandmother in a poor and disenfranchised neighborhood where Jason was concerned for his safety on a daily basis. When he joined Focus Forward in his junior year he did not think of college as part of his future. However Jason’s CAPS counselor recognized his potential and encouraged him to excel in school. A gifted musician and writer, Jason took part in a Focus Forward after-school program run by the New York Pops. With the support of United Way, he was ultimately able to achieve beyond the goals he set for himself — not only graduating from high school but advancing to college as well.

Kenneth, a high school senior, is in his third year of the CAPS program. He is a charismatic teen who is a natural leader among his peers.

Things were not always as rosy. As a freshmen Kenneth chose to hang out with a group of students who had a negative influence. His academics suffered and he was often called into the Dean’s Office for disruptive classroom behavior.

Kenneth joined CAPS in 10th Grade and his CAPS counselor soon worked with him on anger management. When Kenneth’s mother passed away that year, his CAPS counselor supported him and his father through their grieving process, and also helped the family with housing issues. By junior year – thanks in large part to the encouragement he received from CAPS/Focus Forward — Kenneth had become a positive school leader and had joined many extra-curricular activities, including the school theater and the football team. These days Kenneth and his CAPS counselor spend much of their time together discussing his post-secondary plans and completing his college applications.

The summer before she entered high school, Dana ran away from home. An article on the incident appeared in a major Spanish language newspaper and eventually led to Dana’s reunification with her family. But the problems didn’t end there.

During the first marking period of her freshman year, Dana was absent from school 12 days and had a 66 average. She was referred to CAPS/Focus Forward, and her CAPS her counselor immediately started to involve Dana’s parents and teachers. Dana’s mother became a consistent member of the family support group organized by CAPS. By the end of the fall semester, Dana had raised her average to 83. By the end of spring tem, she had finished with a strong average of 94. She is currently a junior with a bright future ahead.