REACHing OUT

2013 Gala Recap This year’s annual Scholarship Gala

was held at the Daniel Island Club

on September 27th

. The event was a

huge success and we would like to

sincerely thank all of the sponsors,

parents, volunteers and students that

were involved.

As most of you know, the gala is our

sole resource for raising scholarship

money for students in need and this

year we are happy to report that we

raised over $54,000! Reminder:

scholarship applications are due

December 5th

.

Over 200 people came out to support

REACH this year, including College

of Charleston President and Mrs.

Benson. Some of the big items we

had up for auction where; tickets to

Disney World, a private dinner

harbor cruise, and earrings from

Crogan’s Jewelry.

The R.E.A.C.H program could not

do what it does without the generous

support of a caring community.

We hope we can count on your

continued patronage and that we see

you at the Gala next year… where

we will continue to REACH for the

Stars!

A Moment with our Inaugural Students

We are immensely proud and honored to announce that our

inaugural students will be completing the REACH program in the

spring. Brian Porterfield and Will Farrior have not only inspired us,

but have become a model to new students that are just embarking on

their own journey into the college experience. We recently asked

them to take a look back, and their reflections on their time here is

truly awe-inspiring…

Brian: It is great to be included in a 4-year program at a college

program. People on campus see us as typical students and they see

us as normal. The REACH team did everything possible for me…

they help me to be organized; they help us with financial lessons,

and help us break down information so we can understand it. I will

miss the staff that helps us out everyday. I will miss Edie the most.

Her vision is amazing and I will constantly stick by it and support it.

My advice (for new students) would be to move forward and be

financially ready… go for scholarships. Fight on. To people who

say you can’t, tell them you can. Have the time of your life. Don’t

feel like you have to conform to anyone, but don’t be afraid of

change.

Will: The networking is the best part about being a student at the

College of Charleston… the friendships you build within your

network. They start off as friendships but turn into family. (The

REACH Staff) help me with interpersonal communication. This

has helped me be a voice for other students and their families, to be

more independent, and more focused toward the future. For

example, the last two years I have been able to be a prime example

of what students can do by being an orientation intern. I would tell

new students to recharge and regroup when looking at what

direction they want to go in life. Goals. Always have a physical

goal, academic goal and a spiritual one. Having goals allows you to

stay focused while enjoying all 4 years of college.

Both students plan to take their success at REACH and use it to

launch their careers. Brian would like to start a career in Hotel

Management and to travel to cities around the country, and Will

would like to have a government job while working part time for an

after school ministry program.

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Parent Newsletter Fall 2013

Academics, Independence, Socialization, Career Development

Meet the R.E.A.C.H. Team!

Here at the REACH program of

the College of Charleston, we

like to describe our staff with one

word: Dedication. We are

dedicated to providing an

effective inclusive educational

experience. In doing this we have

the opportunity to watch our

students achieve tremendous

goals and gain respect,

independence, and pride along

the way.

We strive every day to better the

lives of our students. We do this

by working together and listening

to what our students have to say.

Recently we reflected on some of

our favorite moments from the

semester and this is what our

team members had to say…

Hannah Lund, Mentor

Coordinator, reported that a

student told her “I don’t consider

my social mentor, a mentor but I

consider her a best friend”.

Executive Director, Edie Cusack,

said one student explained to her

that he had never been treated

with respect or like a real person

with value before joining the

REACH program.

It is comments like these that

motivate us to continue our

mission. Allen Coleman,

Freshman Support Coordinators,

says, “I know I am part of

building a program that is

changing the lives of our

students.” Sophomore Support

Coordinator, Lindsey Pogar

agrees, “…the REACH program

has not only changed the

student’s lives, but it has also

changed mine.”

During the next 10 years, we

foresee growth, independence,

and success. We see ourselves as

the model for other programs

across the country and we hope

to continue Edie’s ideal that the

independent…completely

program be “strong and

independent…completely

inclusive and student

centered,”

We will accomplish this goal

and continue to provide a

unique learning opportunity for

our students using 3 important

values: student centered

planning; self-determination

and providing the opportunity

for an equal education. We do

this not because it’s our job,

but because we truly love

seeing our students succeed!

Upcoming Events

Thanksgiving Break

Wednesday, November 27th-

Sunday, December 1st

Winter Break

After students last exam-

Wednesday, January 8th

Open House

January 24, 2014

&

April 4, 2014

Register online at:

www.reach.cofc.edu

Travel Plans for students

Before making any travel arrangements please verify with your student their class schedule. Students should not miss class in order to leave for their break early or to return late. If you or your student are uncertain of exam schedules, please contact us directly at 843-953-4849.

*Winter Break begins immediately after student’s last scheduled exam.

*Residence halls close on December 12th.

*Classes begin on January 8th. Students may return after noon on January 6th.

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Parent Session with

Meghan Trowbridge

In September, parents and

students sat down with Meghan

Trowbridge from the Center of

Disability Resources to talk

about self-determination.

Meghan used her 20+ years in

the field of intellectual

disabilities, and her experience as

a parent to a son with Asperger’s

Syndrome, to relate to parents on

how to empower their children,

and how… to let go.

Meghan described that parents

tend to overprotect, wanting their

children with intellectual

disabilities to fit in, or look

‘normal’, especially in a new

atmosphere like college.

However, in wanting them not to

look different, they overly

support them, singling them out

and taking away their chance to

learn. She explains that one of

the hardest parts of being a

parent is allowing children room

to fail, but it is the only way that

“we can help adult children, be

adults.”

In the session there were some

enthusiastic conversations

between students and parents,

and new realizations were made

about what the students needed

and wanted. Parents where also

able to walk away with hope, as

Meghan took on her storyteller

role and related many true-life

success stories that she had

witnessed over the years.

Meghan says that she considers

the REACH program a national

standout, and if parents of

students in the program can let

go, “they will witness an

incredible life-changing

transformation in their child.” A

transformation that includes

growth and maturity beyond

what they can imagine.

Weekend Works

One of the best things about

living in downtown

Charleston is the abundance

of things to do. Each week,

the REACH Mentor

Coordinator compiles a list of

“Weekend Activities” for the

students, their mentors and

other friends on campus to

participate in. The Weekend

Activity options are usually

free or inexpensive activities

on campus or within walking

distance.

The Farmer’s Market is

always a popular choice

among the students and their

mentors. Every Saturday, they

can walk a few blocks from

campus to Marion Square to

enjoy live music, healthy

snacks, and fresh air. Other

popular destinations

downtown include the Market,

the Battery, and King Street,

especially on Second Sunday

when vehicle traffic is

suspended for most of the day.

Sometimes, though, it’s nice

to get out of downtown.

Recently, the students and

their mentors have hopped on

the CARTA bus and ridden to

Mt. Pleasant to catch a movie

or West Ashley to visit one of

the many beautiful plantations

or to do a little shopping.

Overall, it’s all about getting

students out to experience

new things, when it’s often

easier to sit at home alone.

DID YOU KNOW?

George Washington, Thomas

Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson,

Dwight D. Eisenhower and

John F. Kennedy all had

disabilities.

Page 3

The Photo Booth

Page 4

REACHing OUT

Words of Wisdom

Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.

-Nelson Mandela

Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races

one after the other.

-Walter Elliot

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being

loved.

-George MacDonald

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve

me and I learn.

-Benjamin Franklin

REACHing OUT is brought to you by: The R.E.A.C.H. Program 66 George St. Charleston, SC 29424 843-953-4811 reachprogram@cofc.edu http://reach.cofc.edu

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Newsletter created by Erin Starck