150 Students at Bunker Hill Ready for College

This information was provided in a press release from The United Way and The Boston Foundation. It has been edited for length and style.

More than 150 students and their families attended a Countdown to College event at Bunker Hill Community College a free seminar and resource fair for incoming freshmen and their families. 

The event, sponsored by  Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Brown Brothers Harriman, United Wayof Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley and Success Boston, included in workshops such as "The Budget Balancing Act," which offered advice to families about financial aid options, and “Passing with an A,” which offered suggestions for academic support.

Bottomline and ACCESS joined the event to offer skills and strategies for Boston students headed to college. 

ACCESS provided laptops for students to revise their FAFSA Financial Aid forms if needed, Success Boston and Bottomline supplied handouts and tip sheets, TD Bank offered savings and checking accounts for students, and United Way served up volunteer opportunities.  Admission officers from local colleges were also available to present information to younger siblings.

About Brown Brothers Harriman

BBH is a privately held financial institution that has been a thought leader and solutions provider for nearly 200 years. The firm serves the most discriminating and sophisticated individuals and institutions in its five business lines: Corporate Banking, Investment Management, Investor Services, M&A Advisory and Wealth Management. BBH’s culture of accountability fosters deep and lasting relationships built on commitment, adaptability and trust. The company is independent, selective and specialized by design. 

About United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley

One of the region's largest nonprofits, United Way's work ensures that children enter school ready to learn, youth stay engaged in school so they graduate with options for the future, and parents attain financial stability. No other single organization has the scope, expertise, and influence to bring together hundreds of human services agencies, government, businesses, private foundations and dedicated volunteers around a common vision of creating maximum impact and achieving long-lasting results.

About Success Boston

On November 17, 2008, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced Success Boston, a college completion initiative aimed at doubling the college completion rate for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) Class of 2011 and beyond. An unprecedented collaboration between the City of Boston, the Boston Public Schools, the Boston Foundation, 6 area nonprofits and nearly 40 Massachusetts colleges and universities work together to ensure that BPS students are getting ready, getting in and getting through college. Annually, Success Boston’s  transition partners; ACCESS, American Student Assistance, the Boston Private Industry Council, Bottom Line, Freedom House, and Hyde Square Task Force, provide one-on-one and group case management support to nearly 600 1st and 2nd year BPS alumni attending area two- and four-year public institutions and commuter campuses, strengthening their path to college success. As anchor funder for Success Boston, the Boston Foundation has committed $5 million over 5 years to advance the Mayor's college completion goal.