NAAHP-CRARI To Provide Year-Round College Readiness Programs For Students Throughout U.S.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hillside, NJ, March 8, 2016 — The National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) is excited to launch its College Readiness Access & Retention Institute (CRARI). NAAHP-CRARI will provide year-round after-school programs, August 2016 – May 2017; and summer institutes, June 13th – July 29th, 2016 for students in grades 7th-12th. NAAHP-CRARI’s initial target states include: Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

NAAHP’s College Readiness, Access & Retention Institute (CRARI) is a national pre-college enrichment program based on time-tested research and is designed to prepare, engage and empower students on their journey to college and life. Through its numerous partnerships, NAAHP-CRARI seeks to close the achievement gap, create access to and ensure retention in higher education institutions amongst minority students through intensive college readiness, college retention, leadership development and mentoring services.

“NAAHP is determined to close the achievement gap by preparing our youth to develop the skills needed for success in college and careers. As we develop CRARI, I am confident that we will prepare, engage and empower students who are at risks to see a brighter future,” said Marlyn Paris-Lawson, the National Executive Director of CRARI.

NAAHP-CRARI is an extension of NAAHP that is designed to create a pipeline at the national level in which students of Haitian ancestry and other minority groups are properly groomed for transition to college and the professional world through the removal of social and financial barriers to access to higher educational institutions and professional advancement.

The intended outcomes of the program include but not limited to: increased college attendance, improved academic skills, leadership development, career-readiness and parental engagement. The program will provide financial aid application assistance, access to SAT and ACT preparation and support, mentoring, scholarship opportunities and educational workshops. NAAHP-CRARI will be funded by state, local and federal monies, as well as, private and corporate contributions. NAAHP-CRARI plans to serve over 5000 students by the end of the 2018 school year.

“It is the mission of NAAHP to collaboratively engage, empower and enhance our community as a whole. There is no better way to strengthen this mission than to create a guided pathway for our youth, tomorrow’s leaders. Education is the foundation to long-term success, it is with that understanding that CRARI is strategically designed to remove the road blocks and clear the path to college access, college transition and college retention for all,” said Serge Renaud, President of National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP).

For more program information contact Marlyn Paris-Lawson, at marlyn.parislawson@naahpusa.org or visit the CRARI page.

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Founded in 2011, the National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals (NAAHP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established by diverse group of forward-thinking industry experts, youth leaders, faculty, public and nonprofit sector professionals from Haiti and its global diaspora. NAAHP is focused on connecting a global community of peers with career advancement resources as well as fostering transformative relationships between NAAHP members and committed stakeholders to rebuild Haiti through philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.

Contact:
Nance Pretto
media@naahpusa.org