Young-Adults Can Achieve is a program which assists students in Northern New Jersey with their dreams of continuing their higher education learning. The program was founded in 2003 with the goal of encouraging students to expand their horizons by exploring opportunities provided by attending college. 

We provide students with direct exposure to these schools, and offer college preparation activities and mentoring that will help them gain admission to these schools and succeed once they are there. Most of our students come from families that are likely less to be familiar with the college preparation and application process. By ensuring they are prepared academically, financially and socially for college, we help level the playing field for these students, allowing them to achieve their potential.

We were motivated to start this program based on studies which have found one reason for this disparity in college entrance and graduation rates is that minority young people are not as prepared, both academically and socially/emotionally, for the rigors of college.  In addition, they often receive less attention from college guidance counselors in choosing high school courses and potential colleges, and their parents have less familiarity with the college process. This lack of preparation leads to high drop-out rates, which can be devastating, especially in today’s economy. Without a college degree, young people face limited career options and reduced earning power.  In fact, many studies have found that over their lifetime, individuals with a college degree earn nearly double the amount of money earned by those with only high school degrees.