past programs

In 2010, for the first time in Chatham County, graduating seniors at Central, Northwood, Jordan Matthews, and Sage High Schools were required to complete an ambitious Graduation Project. This project must be completed by every senior before he or she can graduate.

We learned much last year, and again each of the more than 450 graduating seniors must choose a subject of interest to him or her, write a research paper on that subject, find a mentor who is an expert in the field, create a “product” based on research and mentoring, then give a formal presentation.

Seniors were connected with Chatham’s community of adults at work: farmers, auto mechanics, organic gardeners, medical researchers, university professors, artists, musicians, educators, and so on, and gain new insights from the encounter.

CCT! designed a program to work with Chatham’s high schools and graduating seniors to help make two years of the Graduation Project a success. Gwen Overturf, Volunteer Coordinator, recruited mentors for students who needed extra help completing the project. Working with students referred to them by each high school, CCT’s caring adult mentors went the extra mile to help students stay on track, inspired students in their area of interest, and committed to a series of six to ten meetings with a young person throughout a semester’s time.

The Graduation Project was a unique opportunity for adults in Chatham County who have a passion for their work to connect with and pass along some of that passion to a young person. Seniors are looking for inspiration, help with organization, and a window into the adult world of work.

Graduation Project mentors who worked with Chatham County Together! had support, training, and weekly assistance in their mentoring process. They also had fun! It was a wonderful way to connect with young people and a chance to share your passion for your area of expertise—as well as having the opportunity to open the eyes of a young person, with the possibility of turning his or her future in an entirely new direction.

Requirements for becoming a Graduation Project mentor

• A desire to help young people complete their high school requirements.
• A caring attitude and a love of sharing expertise.
• 12-15 hours of time to share over the summer, fall, or spring semester.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Complete an application, receive training, and be interviewed by CCT! staff.

Drop-Out Prevention Program

Chatham County Together was awarded a contract with Chatham County Schools to implement a Drop-Out Prevention Initiative for high school students. Under this contract, which ran through the end of June, 2011, thirty students received a variety of services to keep them on track and in school. Chatham County Schools Student Services Director, George Greger-Holt, noted that some students at highest risk of quitting school,

• have exceeded the number of unexcused absences and need additional help in finding ways to make up their time
• are frustrated under the current learning model and attempt to get their G.E.D. through the community college
• may already be one or more years behind and may feel out of place because of their age, plus, under North Carolina law, they can legally quit school at age sixteen.

Studies show that education is the most important key to future employment and financial success, and CCT! helped students learn to take advantage of the opportunities available to them. Existing programs like technical training, work experience, and distance learning gave young adults career exploration alternatives that couldn't be found in the classroom, and they earned credit towards graduation.

Chatham County Together!'s Tracy Lynn, Drop Out Prevention Specialist and former CCT! Governor's One-on-One Volunteer Coordinator worked with high school Student Assistance Coordinators, social workers and guidance counselors to identify students' best pathway to success.

Since 1989 CCT! has worked to keep youth engaged by matching students with mentors who can give them one-on- one attention, pairing them with tutors to help them in their most challenging subjects, and connecting kids to the community that they live in.