College Pathway Events

Springboard hosts two key events for Chicago Housing Authority college students.  In August, the Take Flight College Reception celebrates more than 200 young CHA residents as they begin their college careers at more than 60 institutions across the country that include Brown, Howard and the University of Michigan.  While they may receive financial aid to pay for tuition, CHA youth still face a significant gap between their aid award and their family's ability to pay to the cost of other out-of-pocket expenses.  The Take Flight reception meets a critical need by providing students with dorm essentials such as linens, towels, toiletries and school supplies.

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In January, Springboard hosts a 'check-in' event while CHA youth are home over winter break called Take Flight: Staying the Course.  This event serves two primary purposes; provide youth with information and resources to help them persist in their studies (access to college counselors, free courses at Chicago City Colleges), and connect them to corporate recruiters hiring college interns and recent graduates.