With The Help Of Trio Minneapolis Students Succeed Scholastically

By Larry Turner


People who don't believe that federal education programs have any significant impact on the future of underprivileged children might want to take a look at the astronauts, Emmy and Oscar winning actors and actresses, United States senators and representatives, and professional athletes who give them great credit for their eventual success. Trio Minneapolis in Minnesota serves young people in the mid west region who suffer economic hardship and physical and mental disabilities. These programs are at work in all areas of the country to help make a difference in the lives of children.

This idea began in the nineteen sixties with Upward Bound. It was a direct result of the Federal War on Poverty. Upward Bound focuses on low income and rural students as well as first generation children. Tribal members are also eligible for consideration. Young people must be between the ages of thirteen and nineteen with college goals. It offers college preparation courses and college tours each year. There is now a Upward Bound Math-Science that focuses exclusively on these two subjects. It is designed for disadvantaged young people interested in future careers in all aspects of science and mathematics.

Talented students often drop out of school because they have to go to work to help support their families, take care of sick parents, or look after younger siblings. Talent Search seeks to help these deserving students and find ways of keep them in school and continue on to take advantage of institutions of higher learning. Almost four hundred thousand children are currently served by Talent Search staff throughout the country.

Student Support Services focuses on assisting low income and first generation children who are already in the college and university system. The grants awarded these institutions are used to encourage the young people to stay the course and graduate.

For low income adults who would like to earn their bachelor's degree, Education Opportunity Centers are available throughout the country to assist with the sometimes confusing financial aid packages available. Staff also offer assistance with the application process.

Veterans Upward Bound is open to those who have served in all military branches. It provides mentoring, tutoring, and counseling. They assess the needs and focus on areas that require additional work prior to enrollment. It also helps the veterans learn basic core subjects to prepare them to enter institutions of higher learning.

In order to make the staff working with these programs as effective and knowledgeable as possible, the Training Program offers yearly seminars, conferences, and workshops. They regularly print reference manuals that are distributed to employees.

TRiO makes every attempt to include and involve parents and other family members in the scholastic decision making process their children are going through. They encourage the parents to support the efforts being made and, to the best of their abilities, give their deserving children a chance for advanced education. One of these programs' core tenets is that every child, regardless of their financial, physical, and regional disadvantages, can become a successful adult with the right guidance and encouragement.




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