Berea, KY—The Berea College GEAR UP Partnership is expanding the College Bound Program incorporating students in Madison, Estill, Lee, Jackson Counties.

Founded by the McBride Foundation, College Bound aims to motivate students to graduate from high school and pursue a college degree. The majority of College Bound participants are from economically disadvantaged homes or may be first generation college-goers. Utilizing student volunteers from Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College, College Bound provides pre-planned lessons, to be used within classrooms, oriented toward informing students of career possibilities available to them with a college degree. All EKU/Berea College student volunteers were required to attend one of two trainings held on Feb. 2nd and 7th to learn how to effectively facilitate the program.

Berea College GEAR UP first implemented the College Bound program in 1999 while working with students in Rockcastle County. Linda Stone, GEAR UP Direct Student Services Coordinator, credits the success of the program to the EKU/Berea College volunteers that bring energy and innovation to the College Bound program.

The Berea College GEAR UP Partnership serves 6th and 7th grade students in Estill, Jackson, Lee, Madison and Rockcastle Counties along with students in kindergarten - 7th grade at Berea Community School.