Mom and Sister Worries

Parent Cafe
41

<p>Sorry...didn't have time to post this earlier..but besides traditional boarding schools which take URM and scholarship students, there is a great organization called CORE.</p>

<p>
[quote]
CORE is the national non-profit organization of residential education programs for economically and socially disadvantaged youth. Founded in 1994, CORE's mission is to represent, advocate, and strengthen residential education programs for children and youth whose homes and communities cannot meet their needs.

[/quote]
<a href="http://www.residentialeducation.org/about/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.residentialeducation.org/about/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Here is the list of schools they support: </p>

<p><a href="http://www.residentialeducation.org/members/index.html#%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.residentialeducation.org/members/index.html#&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I thought Girard School looked promising--as did the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls as did the Milton Hershey School (famous)</p>

<p>
[quote]
Among those boarding schools most focused on teaching students from low-income neighborhoods are Girard College, a first- through 12th-grade school in Philadelphia; Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home in Granbury, Tex.; Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pa.; and Bethesda Home for Boys in Savannah, Ga. </p>

<p>Allison Boisvert, spokeswoman for Covenant Academy of Minnesota, a seventh- to 12th-grade school run by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, said: "When children grow up in poverty and their parents grew up in poverty, they simply do not have the same access to anything, let alone education and understanding the rules of the dominant society. It then becomes our job to help children to be better prepared for a world that for the most part has left their parents behind." </p>

<p>Educators say many students thrive under 24-hour supervision.

[/quote]
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36917-2004Sep20.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36917-2004Sep20.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Your story would be a big advantage to your sister's apps Oi. Adcom would look at your determination and your success and they might imagine that your sister could be eqaully inspired.</p>

<p>For college--take the best financial deal. If a better one arrives after May 1st--petition the original one to reclaim the deposit.</p>

42

<p>Post secondary education for you?
Make a different thread here so that it stands out. Say what your options are including what they are financially offering you. Say what you want in your education and describe any financial and other restrictions. Doing these things should help you get useful advice.</p>

<p>Overall, since I imagine that finances are very important, it probably would be best to take the best financial deal. Check to see whether the scholarships are guaranteed for 4 years, or if you must maintain a certain gpa or major, those requirements are doable.</p>

43

<p>I have a meeting with a social worker tomorrow after school. I wil let you guys know what happens.</p>

44

<p>Thanks for the update.....good move.</p>

45

<p>Oiram, you are really a special person and although I can't offer you specific help here, I just wanted to pass on to you that I'm sending you good karma that the meeting with the social worker will yield positive results. You are carrying a burden that most adults couldn't deal with, and your family is so lucky to have you.</p>

<p>Keep us posted.</p>

46

<p>Oiram, I read your other thread about your awards, and then this one, and first of all, congratulations on your achievements - and I second that your family is very lucky to have you. </p>

<p>Next, do not join the military under any circumstances (and I say this as a very right-wing person) - the military is an excellent opportunity for many people in some situations but that path will not take you where you need to go, and, it offers no potential for flexibility in your geographic location or for that matter even communications and family interaction.</p>

<p>DO get enrolled in college ASAP. The single greatest asset you can have - and the single most important thing that will help you help your family - is a college education. I did read your list of schools and awards, and think the choice is clear - go to the one that pays 100% except books (and you can get those used or even find avenues to get them free) - and get yourself positioned first. If you've flown on a plane recently, you know how the flight attendant instructs to put the oxygen mask on yourself first, before assisting traveling companions with their masks? That's where you are right now - get your own exygen mask on first, THEN help your sister with hers, etc. </p>

<p>The good news is that you actually HAVE an oxygen mask, and, the tank is full and the refills are easy to get. Get yourslf started in college right away, and make getting excellent grades your number one priority. This will also serve to continue setting an excellent example for your sister, and, perhaps she will follow your example, and begin to get excellent grades herself, and therefore better position herself for college. </p>

<p>At the same time, but not at the expense of your education, see if some of the suggestions here might work out for your sister. </p>

<p>If it all gets overwhelming or exhausting, break it up in small steps, and take it one step at a time. </p>

<p>You'll get there - you've done very well already and your best years are ahead of you.</p>

47

<p>Good luck--write out your questions and your options before hand --and take notes on her/his responses.</p>

<p>You really have a good shot at lifting yourself and at least some of your family--I know that because you have proved your ability in the very difficult college admissions game. I admire your generousity and your determination. </p>

<p>Here is a link to the admission criteria for Milton Hershey . Really, boarding school is an earlier option of what you've expertly put on the table for yourself fore the college years. Is it worth putting in an app for your sister? Would she go if you helped her get in?
<a href="http://www.mhs-pa.org/admissions/criteria/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.mhs-pa.org/admissions/criteria/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Let us know what he/she says.</p>

48

<p>I'm going to draft a email to seed to both of the boarding schools mention earlier before I talk to my sister about it. I just want to have more information and direct contact from them so in case she have any questions; I will have the information on hand to address them.</p>

49

<p>latetoschool, you said it very well. I hope that Oiram will adhere to your advise closely.</p>

50

<p>Great idea, Oi. Think about your capability to navigate a complicated application system--with huge success. Take a minute to realize what a great skill you now have. You get a cyber pat on the back from me, that's for sure.</p>

<p>That skill is now one of your tickets for future success--and for your ability to take your family with you as you rise to the top. You can use that skill to make the most out of your JMU experience (internships, study abroad opportunities). You can also use that skill to put some boarding school opportunities on the table for your sister (maybe). Even the best social workder wouldn't have that skill.</p>

<p>Learn skills, master skills, then use them in unexpected ways.</p>

<p>You will be Golden before you know it!</p>

51

<p>Okay Here how the meeting with the social worker went:</p>

<p>*The person who I spoke with was a part of a "health and human services organizations" which provides assistance to teens who are in similar predicament as my younger sister. </p>

<p>*I explained the situation of my sister and my college dilemma to her. However, in order to work with my sister she needs my mothers' permission</p>

<p>*I tried to speak to my mother today--but was rushed off the phone. </p>

<p>*Tried calling mom this afternoon but didn't pick up; right now my sister is with me. </p>

<p>*To sum it up, I haven't talked to my mother about the organization what services that they offer.</p>

<p>*Also, my sister spoke with a member this same organization today at school. However, it was though a Child Protective Services reference that the organization got information from sister. </p>

<p>*As I type this my sister told me that my mother took her to juv. hall; and verbally made threats to her. Over a incidence where my sister was most definitely was wrong. She took the keys to the boyfriend car and try to pull off with it. </p>

<p>*My mother and sister have also have been at odds at one another. I'm pretty sure this tension stem from my sister never really seeing mom as a authoritative figure. </p>

<p>*Their is a lot going on. But I look at the applications for the boarding schools and they are daunting--but the opportunity that the school will provide her will be worth it.</p>

52

<p>Oiram, what is the situation with juvenile hall? If possible, try to communicate to your sister that it is very, very important to stay well clear of trouble, especially now. Once she gets herself into the juvenile justice system - on the wrong side of it - it will become very problematic for you or anyone else to help her...</p>

53

<p>Just asked her what happen and she stated: "mom took me down there to get rid of me" and no paper work was filed few...</p>

54

<p>Update: My aunt (the most stable one in my familiy) is taking my sister in for the next school year. My mom pulled the same stunt again this weekend, and I was worried if my sister was going to be able to go to school Monday. However, we found a way to get her to school. Thanks for the support.</p>

55

<p>What a relief. Now you can go to college with comfot. Where did you decide to enroll?</p>