On Thursday, June 24th, College Bound Dorchester raised over $185,000 during its 6th Annual Event, We are College Bound. Two hundred community partners and supporters, including keynote speaker, Robert Lewis, Jr., Vice President for Program at the Boston Foundation and Mistress of Ceremonies, Latoyia Edwards, News Anchor of NECN, attended the event.

"As someone who grew up in Dorchester, I know all too well the challenges faced by its residents," Latoyia shared with guests. "That is why I am so proud to be here tonight to highlight the important role that community-based organizations like College Bound Dorchester can play in changing the trajectory for children and youth."

Renee Freeman, an 18 year old student in the Alternative Education program, shared her experience at College Bound Dorchester saying, "My case manager told me that they were not only going to help me get my GED, but also get me into college... they didn't let me quit, no matter what."  Renee received a standing ovation when she continued, "With their support, I enrolled in the nursing program at Bunker Hill Community College, where I just finished my first semester."

And finally, an unexpected announcement came from Robert Lewis, Jr. when he revealed that the Boston Foundation would be granting College Bound Dorchester with a $75,000 investment to continue their work to increase the college graduation rate for low-income, minority and first-generation college students from public schools in Boston.

Thank YOU all for making the night an incredible success!

Thank you again to all of our guests and especially our sponsors: Bill Darling and Betty Brehaus, Ernst & Young, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, NSTAR, State Street Foundation, Walsh Brothers Incorporated, Waterville Consulting, Arthur J. Hurley Company, Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Citizens Bank, Paul Connolly and Anne Mitchell, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Catherine Donaher, Eastern Bank, H. Levenbaum Insurance Agency, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, Maureen Harvey and David Hartzband, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Nonprofit Professionals Advisory Group, Muriel and Norman B. Leventhal Family Foundation, Lee Kennedy Company, PJA Advertising & Marketing, Sullivan & Worcester, LLP, and Unigraphic.

Sponsors

Social Change Sponsor

Progressive Change Sponsor

Cooperative Learning Sponsor