Reading Their Way to College

As part of the Great Conversation course, a group of first-year students has been volunteering weekly at the REAL Program in Lynn, which works to promote youth literacy. This spring, the REAL kids came to campus for a college access day.

Reflection by Jan Plourde, REAL Program Director

On Saturday, May 3, over 50 children and parents/volunteers from The REAL Program in Lynn travelled to the campus of Gordon College. The entire day was surreal from picking up the children and families at 8:45 to driving them out of their neighborhood, community and reality.

When we pulled into the parking lot of Gordon College, we were greeted by college students who showed real excitement to have the little kids come to their campus. We sat on the steps of the chapel and headed off to a wonderfully organized day. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect for a walk around the campus. We ate in the dining hall with other college students and we sang “Happy Birthday” to two 8-year-olds—everybody sang! After pizza, we happened upon an event that was not planned as part of our tour, but was perfect: African dancing on the green grass in the sunshine!

The following week, the next time the students gathered for The Real Program, as we were walking to Congregation Ahabat Sholom a boy named Bernardo came up to me and said, "I will go to college." All the children talked about their visit to Gordon that day.
 

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