Over the past 23 years, the Crossroads Foundation has successfully cycled 395 students through its program. Of these students 98 percent graduated, 97 percent have gone on to post-secondary education, 92 percent have gone to a four year college, 88 percent have graduated from a four year college, and 15 percent have advanced degrees.

“After 23 years doing this, we know the pieces to help students coming from challenging environments, but we keep getting better and better,” said Crossroads Executive Director Florence Rouzier. “We don’t know a better way to get these children out of poverty than education.”

CLASS OF 2011—Each and every student at the 2011 Crossroads Foundation Graduation Dinner has gone on to college.

The Crossroads Foundation provides “holistic scholarships” that consist of tuition assistance and intensive academic and psychosocial support services, to students wishing to attend Catholic high schools. Students admitted to the program have previously attended feeder Catholic elementary schools in urban areas.

On a fall morning, nestled at the hill top, is The Neighborhood Academy (The Academy). Founded 10 years ago by Rev. Thomas Johnson and Jody Moore, its mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty through education.

EXPOSURE TO CAREERS—The Civic Health Institute, Davis Eye Group and Star Optical joined together to host 11th & 12th graders from the Neighborhood Academy for a Career Day. The students received an overview for careers in opticianry science, optometry, and ophthalmology. The classes were at Star Optical in Wilkinsburg. Louis Mosley, the lab optician, is the man who makes the glasses, cuts the glass and puts them into the frames. (Photo by J. L. Martello)

by Laurence Glasco

Doris Brevard, as principal of Vann Elementary School in the Hill District from 1969 to 1995, eliminated the racial achievement gap, winning statewide and even national recognition.

Some of those who still recall her success might be interested to know of schools today which are succeeding in doing the same.

STUDENT AT WORK IN PROPEL

One of these is Propel Charter Schools, which soon will open in the city of Pittsburgh. Last spring, Propel Director of Marketing Derric Heck invited me to visit the Propel Charter School in McKeesport which, he said, was matching Brevard’s achievements of years ago, and with similar kinds of students.

by Chauleaqua Washington

Teen Quest Ranch is a place for fun, relaxation and a miniature vacation located in Somerset, Pa.

It sits on 140-acres of land that serves as the grounds for summer and winter camps, and a mission base for ministry teams around the world.

“Teen Quest is a place for everyone to have fun and enjoy their time,” said Travis Rusko, camp director.

Weekend retreats for youth groups and churches are also held at the ranch. But the most popular camp they hold during the fall is XDayz.