My name is Fred E. and I am a recent graduate of Martin Luther King High School.  I plan to attend the following two colleges: Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP).  I chose to go to CCP first, because of the cost to attend which will put a less financial strain on my parents.  I plan to transfer to IUP once I have completed two years at CCP.  At first I didn’t like the thought of having to switch schools after two years, but I believe this is the best option for me, because I prefer to get my degree from IUP.

I never heard anything about the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) College and Career Readiness Program during my four year tenure at Martin Luther King High School.  I was only looking for a summer job so that I could save up money for books when I emailed Ms. Aisha Alexander, Coordinator of the Free Library of Philadelphia College Prep Program.   She responded back, informing me that she knew of some job openings.  I went to an interview and I got the job. I was so thankful for Ms. Aisha and the College Prep Program for the opportunity.  They helped me fulfill my dream to work with kids.

Furthermore, my summer job supervisor and College Prep Specialist, Kaamilah M., was very helpful and wise. I enjoyed talking to her about my present and future dreams and called her Kaam for short.  She offered good advice and often times shared her experiences being an undergraduate student.  Similar to my sister and I, Kaam is the first generation of her family to attend college.  I appreciate that she was always open to share with me and that she was there to help me prepare for college.

I am an immigrant from Haiti and I have experienced different challenges, one of which has been to ask for help.  During the College Prep Program I was able to overcome this challenge.  As a result, I am preparing myself to be a strong-educated black man and physician assistant who will contribute my education to help unfortunate people in my home country.  I’ve also been working to improve in my English.  I trust that my relationship with the College Prep Program and the friends I’ve gained as a result will all help me.  I find myself succeeding further on my college and career path than I ever thought possible and I thank the Free Library of Philadelphia College Prep Program for that!

Free Library of Philadelphia
The Office of Public Service Support (TOPSS)
College Prep Program
1901 Vine Street, Room 5A
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Office: 215-686-5372
Fax: 215-686-5374
Email: collegeprep@freelibrary.org
Website: http://freelibrary.org/collegeprep
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