To be completely honest, my interest in out of school programming didn’t begin with me observing a need. Although I was aware of the current state of education in this grand ol’ U.S. of A., I wasn’t exactly privy to the ramifications it has on the individuals that struggle within the system and the communities that surround them. It was only after being involved with two of the many community organizations in Homewood,Higher Achievement and Homewood Children’s Village, that an interest in research was cultivated. Granted, the interest began in a selfish desire to calculate my worth within the community; these sorts of professions are often thankless and under appreciated, not only by society, but from the youth that I was serving. Additionally, the results of my toils were not always immediate if there was impact that was being made, was I making it? Thus was the impetus that lead me to do a bit of rooting around, and what I found not only reassured my worth, it fanned the flames of my passion and instilled a story of fervor for education and out of school programming.

I had the opportunity to sit down and talk education with the Head Librarian at Sewickley Academy, Ruth Neely.
The best part about that is that I recorded it for your ears to peruse.

I’ve also arranged my favorite factoids from my research in a fancy and easily digestible morsel below.
Hopefully, all of this will instill a fervor within you as well and we can all start giving a damn.