Kirtland Foundation Brings Awareness to Path to Success Initiative on Giving Tuesday
This Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, The Kirtland Foundation will be directing all donations to support their Path to Success program offered to 7-12 grade students pursuing goals towards higher education.
“I feel young people have a sense of pride to be in the Path to Success Program,” said Kirtland Community College President Thomas Quinn. “When we hold events here at the college I am always astonished to see the motivation these students have in regards to achieving future enrollment in higher education.”
The Path to Success Program begins at the seventh-grade level and follows along with the student till 12 grade or graduation. The students enrolled in this program often are facing challenges that without the Path to Success program would have less likely a chance to achieve higher education enrollment. The objectives for any student enrolled in the Kirtland Foundation program include helping students reach their full potential, broaden students’ horizons and knowledge of cultural diversity; and encourage higher education as a goal for all. The Kirtland Foundation’s Assistant Director Alice Furstenau stated that students enrolled in the Path to Success program are not only stronger students by the end, but are also more empowered to reach other goals as well.
“Path to Success to me is seeing kids empowered by finding their passions and realizing their abilities and strengths,” said Furstenau. “By being enrolled in the program [Path to Success] these students can achieve goals and have opportunities, that otherwise, might not have been made available to them.”
During their time enrolled in the Path to Success program students will follow a three-tier system with focuses changing as they progress in their educational career. As a student enters the program at seventh grade and progresses through eighth grade Path to Success focuses on expectations such as broadening horizons, character building, and team work skills. These expectations, or level of learning, are taught in various ways from attending cultural enrichment events such as museums and plays, to mentoring and educational trips. Moving up into the other two tiers, 9-10 and 11-12 grades, focuses switch to career and higher education, volunteering, job preparedness, and college planning. At the programs end each student is required to complete a cap stone project in order to graduate.
“This program enables the Kirtland Foundation to help young minds grow before they reach college level,” said Kirtland Foundation Director Heather Appold. “By interacting with peers from various schools and mentors who volunteer for the program, students have fun while building their personal skills.”
Solely funded by donations, Path to Success has operated since 2019 with an average of 40 students enrolling each year. On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, The Kirtland Foundation hopes to continue the success of program by taking all donations given that day and putting them towards Path to Success. Giving Tuesday is a globally recognized day of giving back, with many people donating to local, national, and international causes of their choosing. The Kirtland Foundation states that on this year’s Giving Tuesday, give locally and support something special by donating to the Path to Success program.
“How can you pass up an opportunity to support the youth of today,” said Furstenau. “Rather it by cultural education, higher education, or personal growth, Path to Success gives the youth of today that support.”
Mark your calendars and go online Tuesday, Nov.29, to help support The Kirtland Foundation’s Path to Success program. Visit https://www.kirtland.edu/foundation/donate or call (989) 275-5000 ext. 446 to join in on this Giving Tuesday.
