One of Global Water & PAL's most important
programs is our "Life After High School"
youth program. High school aged kids from
various PAL's across the state come together
at a State University and begin an intense
five day learning program designed to give
them the knowledge they need for life after
they graduate. One of the top goals of the
conference is to provide the youth with as
much of a "college experience" as possible.
The kids all stay in the college dormitory
and eat at the university cafeteria.
For
many of the kids, this is their first visit
to a university. The curriculum includes
lectures about preparing for SAT's and ACT
testing, what High School courses they need
to be taking to have a better chance of
getting into college, the difference between
the UT and TSU system and applying for
FAFSA. Other important subjects that are
covered include school grants and financial
aid, taking AP and Honor courses in high
school and how they should apply to various
colleges. Representatives come in to talk
about the benefits of going to a vocational
or trade school, becoming an apprentice in
one of the various trade unions along with
other opportunities working in the
AMERICORPS and the VISTA program.
One of the very important componants of our
program includes teaching PAL youth about
various "life skills" that they will need
when the do graduate and move out on their
own. Topics such as opening a checking or
savings account at a bank, applying for
credit and using it wisely, applying for a
passport, registering to vote and applying
for the Selective Service are all covered. A
workshop on how to live on minimum wage is
given to highlight the need to better
themselves and earn higher wages. We also
have various members of the United States
Armed Forces come by to speak about careers
in the military and what to expect when
joining.
The "Life After High School" program
directly helps PAL youth from all around the
state and this program has directly
contributed to many PAL kids being able to
attend college or better themselves as they
transition into adulthood.
