CLEVELAND, TN (WRCB) A contribution by Allan Jones, CEO and founder of Check Into Cash, Inc., makes it possible for tnAchieves to launch its scholarship and mentoring program in all three Bradley County high schools. The local program is called "bradleyAchieves." The Jones' donation also ensures that every student in Bradley County public schools will have the opportunity to attend Cleveland State Community College.
"My father always told me to give more than my fair share, and I believe anyone who is successful owes it to the community to give back," said Jones. "I take pride in the fact that the Cleveland High School and Bradley Central High School wrestling programs are consistently ranked number one and two in Tennessee, and I hope this donation will help local education reach the same heights."
Jones said the program changes the lives of students and families and will result in a better educated and stronger workforce for Cleveland and Bradley County.
With the goal of increasing the higher education attainment and retention rate, bradleyAchieves seeks to provide public high school graduates the opportunity to attend community college with mentor support.
Organizers describe the program as "a last-dollar scholarship." This means tuition cost should no longer be an obstacle when a student is deciding to attend college. While all students are eligible for bradleyAchieves, the program focuses primarily on students who are the first in their families to go to college.
Modeled after the success of the Knox County program "knoxAchieves," tnAchieves has experienced substantial success utilizing volunteers in business and community-based organizations to guide its students through the college access process. Each student is assigned a volunteer mentor who agrees to help the student eliminate the barriers associated with college access. tnAchieves mentors support the student through admission and financial aid paperwork, and motivate the student to meet deadlines.
"As a result of the generosity of Allan Jones and the work of tnAchieves, we can now provide vital help to students who struggle to pay for a college education," said Carl Hite, President of Cleveland State Community College. "Recipients of these dollars will also benefit from the interaction they will have with volunteer mentors, which is another way we hope to ensure their success."
bradleyAchieves applications will be available to the graduating Class of 2012 the first week of August and are due October 14, 2011. Students should visit their guidance office for more details.
