PVCC continues Their Successful Great Expectations Program

Every year, 19 percent of children age out of the Virginia foster care system according to FosterVA. Since 2009, PVCC’s Great Expectations program has provided an avenue for these students to continue their schooling or job training in order to achieve their goals and enjoy successful adulthood. 

Headed by Advisor La’Tisha Jackson, the Great Expectations program (GREX), was built to help the youth in the foster care system in need of resources and support. In order to be eligible for the program, students must be between the ages of 13 and 24 years of age and have a current or past affiliation with the Virginia foster care system. The program accepts high school students, college-age students and students that may already be attending college. 

To apply for the program, students can sign-up for placement tests in order to decipher where they are academically. The program is made to help students utilize their current knowledge to start attending classes and learning again(Possible quote). With the Covid-19 Pandemic, most services for the GREX program are no longer available on campus. However, through the GREX program webpage students can access all the sign-up and scheduling info easily. 

In 2018 alone, over 200 students were projected to age out of the system and its subsequent educational support according to FosterVA. Participating in the GREX program provides students with access to financial support, career coaching and academic essentials like computers and books. The program also offers a sense of community for these students, with experienced advisors and incentives for participation. The program has a structure based on support, with regular meetings between advisors and students, as well as events and activities put together by the program. 

Students not in the GREX program can still get involved and help. As a PVCC program, GREX takes donations in many forms. The public can donate items for incentives like gift cards or concert tickets, or they can donate books, calculators and hand sanitizer. (possible quote) Students are encouraged to get involved and embrace the opportunities provided by the GREX program and it has proven successful in helping students find success.

To learn more about the Great Expectations program, visit their PVCC webpage.