SIU and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois signed a new agreement Tuesday that will benefit members, staff and students.
SIU Chancellor Austin Lane officially signed a commitment with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois that will give students opportunities with the club while improving their programs.
SIU will provide scholarships for members to attend SIU summer camps to get kids interested in going to college.
The club will also provide volunteer and internships to students which in turn supplies the kids with more mentors.
CEO Tina Carpenter says one of the goals is to get kids to experience what SIU has to offer and get them thinking about their future.
“A lot of kids feel like it's so out of reach, especially if they would be a first generation. They don't understand what that college experience is like. They don't have parents to tell them this is what it's like when I went to college or, you know, parents feeling that it's out of reach. We can help them understand that it is within reach if that's what the kids want to do.”
The agreement also helps current employees find financial assistance to continue their career goals.
