Destination: Graduation helps students stay the course
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Written by: Seminole State Staff
The Heart of Florida United Way and Seminole State College of Florida continue to work together on an innovative program to help at-risk students access resources they need to stay in school.
Destination: Graduation is designed to provide students with the support they need to overcome barriers to continuing their education and completing their degrees.
The program aims to increase the graduation rates of low-income students and student-veterans by providing comprehensive, on-campus supports. Both student groups show an increased risk of stopping or dropping out for nonacademic reasons.
Leveraging United Way’s 2-1-1 Information & Assistance Helpline, Destination: Graduation connects students to over 2,000 campus and community resources and emergency grants.
“What some students go through to get to college is heroic,” said Jeff Hayward, president and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way. “It would be tragic for one incident – like a car breaking down or unstable housing – to limit someone from achieving their dream and inhibiting earning potential. At United Way, we fight for the education of everyone in Central Florida so they can achieve their full potential. We’re proud to bring a program like Destination: Graduation to Seminole State College because they share in this vision.”
Destination: Graduation is administered through the Central Florida College Access Network, a partnership between United Way and community organizations that aims to reduce barriers to postsecondary education.
For assistance e-mail destinationgraduation@hfuw.org or text 407.362.8052 to schedule a time for a call. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response.
Our Mission: Heart of Florida United Way fights for the education, health, and financial stability of every person in Central Florida.
Founded in 1939, Heart of Florida United Way is Central Florida’s largest supporter of local health and human service agencies. In 2016-2017, it managed more than $46 million dollars in total resources, including over $17.7 million raised during the annual campaign that helps fund nearly 60 local health and human service programs.
It also operates the United Way 211 Information and Assistance helpline, the EITC tax credit initiative, Mission United, Destination Graduation, the Volunteer Resource Center and the Ryan White Part B/General Revenue Program.
United Way is focused on prevention and finding long-term solutions for pressing problems. Known as Investing in Results, this philosophy is guiding our work to move the needle in four critical impact areas:
To view how our work is making a difference, check out the Common Good Forecaster tool.