Catalyst Radio: Challenge Scholars program uniting around advanced education for children's future

June 11, 2015 1:45 pm

In its early stages, Challenge Scholars is drawing together community partners that include funders, public schools, higher education institutions and businesses.

Don't have time to listen now? Download the mp3 and listen at your leisure.

 

INTERVIEW

Challenge Scholars, a new and innovative program of Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Grand Rapids Public Schools, is succeeding in uniting local community partners for the purpose of supporting children to achieve their full potential through, in part, higher education opportunities.  The support comes in the form of programs for young students beginning in elementary school, and for their families, and also includes the possibilities for free college or trade school education.

In uniting the local community around investing in human capital – the community’s children – the program also is working to build a more vital and rewarding career experience that will affect a more skilled workforce to fuel the region’s economy.

In studio to talk about recent fund raising partnership successes, as well as some of the program efforts of  Challenge Scholars now getting underway are Gina Bovee of Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Gwen Heatley, college/career coordinator at one of the partner schools Harrison Park School.

 

MUSIC

Music featured in this episode of Catalyst Radio is from local band Vox Vidorra, with the recent release Promise Land. It’s the song “All In One Place.”