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MAAC Wins Contract to Serve Homeless Youth
MAAC has received $48,000—its largest contract to date
—to provide holistic college readiness services to high school students experiencing homelessness, through a
contract with Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC).
“We are beyond excited to deepen our partnership with Essex Regional to provide individualized college readiness programming to resilient young people who have faced tremendous challenges,” said Andrea Smith- Morgan, executive director of MAAC. “This partnership
will allow us to equip these young people with the tools to find their path, pave it, and walk it with pride and confidence toward their educational and career goals.”
MAAC’s programming, beginning this
month and extending through the remainder of the school year, will serve high school students currently living at two shelters: Harmony House in Newark and Turning Point in Irvington. Scholars will receive a wide range of individualized educational and support services ranging from college application completion to emotional wellness through mindfulness training.
“Dynamic partnerships are not an option but a necessity. The Essex Regional Educational Service Commission Education of Homeless Children and Youth program’s partnership with MAAC is paramount to the services that we provide to displaced children," said Pheobie Thomas, director of special programs and grants at ERESC. "MAAC assists us with the capacity to provide those most needed services that equip our students with college and career readiness skills.”
ERESC and MAAC first partnered in April to host a College Day event for high school juniors and seniors, featuring a college fair and presentations by successful businesspeople, a few of whom shared similar experiences with displacement. Students also participated in this year’s Summer Boot Camp, MAAC’s flagship summer college readiness program. “Bridging the gap for young people who dream of success but struggle to access resources is one of the most rewarding tasks imaginable,” said Andrea. “We’re so grateful for this opportunity to partner with ERESC to help these promising young scholars gain everything they need to succeed and thrive throughout their lives. We expect great things—we want them to come back one day and share their story with a new generation of hopeful youth.”
To read "Keannah's Story" and support our youth, CLICK HERE!
MAAC Scholar Gets a Job-With MAAC!
Before he even walked through the door, Blake Ricketts had already made an impression.
Hand-selected for a scholarship to attend MAAC’s Summer Boot Camp as an outstanding student, athlete, and volunteer at Teaneck High School, the 17 year-old senior capitalized on his boot camp experience, soaking up knowledge and making vital connections with fellow scholars, staff, and alumni.
After boot camp ended, Blake stayed in touch with Andrea. She connected him with a MAAC scholar alumni who attends the University of Pennsylvania so he could
learn more about his dream school. This continued effort to stay in touch paid off for everyone.
Recognizing a need for increased social media presence, Andrea thought of Blake. She reached out and offered him a job coordinating social media posts. Blake accepted the position, and will also be serving as a key communicator with fellow boot camp alumni scholars, helping keep in touch as the scholars continue on their academic journey.
“When MAAC decided to elevate our social media presence, we knew we wanted someone who truly understands what MAAC is all about,” said Andrea. “Blake is an enthusiastic, driven young man who will enhance MAAC’s social media presence through his relatable
perspective and rich knowledge of the services we provide. What better person to raise awareness of the good work MAAC does than a satisfied customer?”
The 17-year-old high school senior was selected to attend the 2024 boot camp through a scholarship donated by Fred Randall and Mindful Breath Foundation.
Please join us in welcoming Blake to the MAAC family!
Nikki Meets Nikki: Two Dreamers Unite
For those of you who don't know, my full name is Andrea Nicole Smith-Morgan. My father named me Andrea because it was a good fit with Andrew (my brother's name). And, like a "good Jamaican woman," my mother wasn't havin' that "foolish name" (her words) and demanded that the family call me Nicole, aka Nikki.
Last month, this Nikki had the opportunity to meet the world-renowned poet and civil rights activist Nikki Giovanni at the Dodge Poetry Festival at NJPAC. It was an absolute treat. "I'm a good thinker and a better dreamer" is one of my favorite Nikki quotes because I am a dreamer. Allow me
to share with you my dream. As our headline article this month details, MAAC was afforded the opportunity to partner with Essex Regional and work with students experiencing homelessness. But did you know that once students turn 18, they age out of the system and are left to "figure out life” on their own?
Enter my dream. Why not provide housing for college students experiencing homelessness? Hmm. What would that entail? A home.
Well, MAAC may have the opportunity to provide housingin Montclair. I have a name already selected. I'm calling it Poppymaac; a home for our scholars. I’m not asking for anything at this time, other than for you to put that idea in your head. Think about it; what it would mean and who you might know.
It all starts with a dream.
MAAC Board Members
Eleanor Gil-Kashiwabara | Tanya Isler-Home | Nadine Verna | Tamara Williams
Mindful Awareness Academy for Children (MAAC), PO BOX 338, Montclair, NJ 07042, United States
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