On Saturday June 12, 2010, Mr. Charles Aponte (USN Retired Chief, member of the Washington DC ANSO Chapter) and his committee put on an educational youth ministry event at their local church (Saint Anthony) call Access to Higher Ed.  Mr. Aponte, who co-chaired the effort provided the following detailes regarding the event.

"We began with Set-up at 0945, We set tables, chairs, tents (that did about 2 fly byes), 95 degree weather w/slight breeze.  Our Booth was worked by College students from GMU (Mireya), Jennifer (Catholic Univ), Amanda (GMU), Charlie, LT Xochitl Castaneda (ANSO member), USCG and our Youth Director, Maria Calacan.  Everyone had a wonderful time, we recruited from the ages of 12 and up.  We created a pool of people we interviewed and asked various questions like:  What would you like to be when you grow up? Have you done anything to help your desire come true? Have you taken your PSAT/SAT's yet?DO you know what FAFSA is? Do you think you would like help from a tutor? NOVA Community College sent a Rep (Maria) over from one of its campus's and introduced everyone to a nation-wide program called Year-UP designed to help low-income youth who lack resources to pursue HE.  "Year Up does not accept the opportunity gap that exists in our nation. We are determined to provide our urban young adults with the education, guidance and support they need to realize their potential."  Gerald Chertavian, CEO and Founder,...

Thanks to the (Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)foundation, we were provided with 200 College Prep Kits to distribute to our customers on how to get going in the HE direction.  We tried to educate by offering the youth counsel in providing assistance in the areas of essays, tutoring, personal statements, FAFSA Forms and the college process."

Click Here to access the Blog that was created called Saint Anthony Youth Ministry!  The segment regarding Higher Education is at the bottom of the blog page.  Mr. Aponte is the one with the glasses and gray t-shirt.

Mr. Aponte, thanks for all that you do!