Purpose:

§ to change lives and the community by helping people succeed in education beyond high school

I CAN’s Comprehensive Approach (for all age levels):

§ elementary/pre-school – motivating students by getting the “education is important” message in front of students and parents at very early, impressionable ages

§ middle school - career exploration (including the pathways to those careers) during the critical years, when attitudes and preparation are being crystallized and when parents have significant influence

§ high school - helping people who help students with the “college” process (testing, career and school exploration, selections which meet their needs, their application package and financial aid)

§ home-schooled students and adults – assisting them like those in traditional school settings

How I CAN spends its money:

§ motivating programs - a wide variety to excite/empower people of all ages to continue education

§ advising programs/ informational materials – for use in schools and directly with students/families

§ last dollar scholarships - to needy students

Goals:

§ helping students/families embrace education as the pathway to success

§ extending programs successful in Marion County for a decade to the schools in the contiguous counties, especially Delaware and Union County districts including Westerville

§ developing creative new program ideas to meet the needs of each constituency

§ most of all, fostering an “I CAN Attitude” about education after high school with all age groups

Objectives:

§ demonstrating realistic post-high school options for all abilities, breaking the cycle of hopelessness

§ teaching the “how to” details of the college process to eliminate the helplessness of not knowing how to continue education (preparation, exploration, application, matriculation and completion)

§ helping families find the financial resources to make it all possible

§ providing volunteers and partners as role models/mentors in overcoming obstacles to success

§ changing the climate in the community by promoting the concept of “the rising tide raises all ships” to explain how helping an individual student creates a ripple effect which benefits all of us

§ coordinating community partnerships - to raise the level of expectation and success through active support (financial and otherwise) of I CAN, schools and organizations helping students/families

I CAN Supporters

§ Ohio’s College Access Network (OCAN) and Government Agencies at all levels

§ Involved School Districts throughout the region and Collaborating Colleges

§ Caring Individuals, Committed Corporations, Fostering Foundations

§ Other Organizations which support students and families