Partnership with ASU College Chapter NAACP in collaboration with Adair Foundation sets out to help economically disadvantaged youth in Arizona to Stay in School.

Phoenix (November 15, 2018) – Arizona OIC (AzOIC) is pleased to announce the spring 2019 GAP Back to School Stay in School Program will be offered to students in grades six through 12 as part of their workforce development initiative. Partnering with AzOIC in this initiative are Arizona State University’s College NAACP Chapter, Phoenix College NAACP Chapter and the Maricopa County Branch NAACP in collaboration with Adair Foundation to provide the 2019 Greater Academic Performance Program.

The GAP program is designed to help students learn in a fun, welcoming environment that allows them to advance their classroom skills. The Stay in School initiative is intended to improve high school graduation rates for African American students. Currently, African American students in Arizona graduate at a rate of approximately 10% lower than the majority culture and Black students are suspended three times more than other students. The GAP program will help prepare more students for success through high school, and better ensure their graduation as well as future career success.

Classes will be held at Phoenix College on the first and second Saturdays of the month, beginning January 12, 2019 and running through June 2, 2019. Classes will include college preparation, college enrollment and mentoring that supports under-resourced students in achieving academic success. Scholarships will be available.

Interested students must apply by Friday, February 8, 2019. Applications are available at Arizona OIC by calling 602.513.8311 or by emailing AZColchapters@gmail.com. In addition, students interested in participating in the Phase II workforce development segment, which begins in June 2019 and will help by providing real-live work experience, should also apply to the above contacts by April 15, 2019. Please check AZOIC Web site to see
when next the next course session will start.

About Arizona OIC
Established in 1967, the Arizona chapter of Opportunities Industrialization Centers (AzOIC) focuses on addressing the critical employability needs of Phoenix’s economically disadvantaged residents. Since its inception, Arizona OIC has served more than 65,000 people facing employability challenges by providing vital job training and tools through programs that address the most significant, current needs in the market and providing both program participants and partnering companies with a skilled-workforce. One person at a time, Arizona OIC’s faith-based mission has been to help this vulnerable population to help themselves and works to develop the “whole person” with the goal of participants becoming self-sufficient, productive members of society. For more information, visit www.azoic.org.