2008 Woodie Awards
Program earns $6,000 grant
By: Meredith Mayberry
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
A pilot program Central Michigan University designed last semester aimed at increasing diversity in high schools has earned the school a $6,000 grant.
The program, called Strengthening Teen Resilience Under Tough Situations, is the reason the Michigan Campus Compact recently awarded CMU the funds, called the Brighter Futures grant.
"STRUTS was developed last spring by a team of CMU faculty and students," said Susan Jacob, CMU professor of psychology and coordinator of the STRUTS interdisciplinary team.
STRUTS is directed toward improving the lives of gay, lesbian, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning youth.
"GLBTQ youth may experience rejection at school and at home," Jacob said. "We want to support them and other teens who don't feel like they fit in."
Rachel Prevatt, psychology professor and 2006 alumnus, is the coordinator for STRUTS. She works with college students, mentoring them for the Brighter Futures grant, Jacobs said.
"The grant has allowed Rachel to recruit, interview and select CMU student mentors," Jacob said. "It also supports a partnership between CMU and Oasis High School to develop activities that will foster a better understanding of diversity among high school students."
STRUTS meets every other Saturday and plans activities and social events for GLBTQ youth to take part in. Jacob said activities have included putt-putt golf, rock wall climbing, picnics and movie nights.
The program goes beyond organizing events, giving schools tips on how to create more inclusive and safer schools for all youth.
MCC is a state-level non-profit organization focused on promoting Michigan college students to be civilly engaged citizens.
"MCC has open proposals every year," said Brandon Seng, MCC communications manager. "CMU submitted a proposal and it was reviewed by a group that we convened. They must have been impressed."
Brighter Futures grants are financial awards and a part of MCC's Investing in College Futures Learn and Serve grant program. The ICF program assists projects that are directed toward disadvantaged youth, according to MCC's Web site, micampuscompact.org.
"We hope to help promote understanding and acceptance of diversity in schools and the wider community," she said.
news@cm-life.com
The program, called Strengthening Teen Resilience Under Tough Situations, is the reason the Michigan Campus Compact recently awarded CMU the funds, called the Brighter Futures grant.
"STRUTS was developed last spring by a team of CMU faculty and students," said Susan Jacob, CMU professor of psychology and coordinator of the STRUTS interdisciplinary team.
STRUTS is directed toward improving the lives of gay, lesbian, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning youth.
"GLBTQ youth may experience rejection at school and at home," Jacob said. "We want to support them and other teens who don't feel like they fit in."
Rachel Prevatt, psychology professor and 2006 alumnus, is the coordinator for STRUTS. She works with college students, mentoring them for the Brighter Futures grant, Jacobs said.
"The grant has allowed Rachel to recruit, interview and select CMU student mentors," Jacob said. "It also supports a partnership between CMU and Oasis High School to develop activities that will foster a better understanding of diversity among high school students."
STRUTS meets every other Saturday and plans activities and social events for GLBTQ youth to take part in. Jacob said activities have included putt-putt golf, rock wall climbing, picnics and movie nights.
The program goes beyond organizing events, giving schools tips on how to create more inclusive and safer schools for all youth.
MCC is a state-level non-profit organization focused on promoting Michigan college students to be civilly engaged citizens.
"MCC has open proposals every year," said Brandon Seng, MCC communications manager. "CMU submitted a proposal and it was reviewed by a group that we convened. They must have been impressed."
Brighter Futures grants are financial awards and a part of MCC's Investing in College Futures Learn and Serve grant program. The ICF program assists projects that are directed toward disadvantaged youth, according to MCC's Web site, micampuscompact.org.
"We hope to help promote understanding and acceptance of diversity in schools and the wider community," she said.
news@cm-life.com
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