That's right, Exodus' high school students are going to Texas this summer! This year, we've really expanded the high school program: as you know, we now have our own room (yay!) and we've focused our purpose for the group even more. The goal of the high school program at Exodus is to help our students graduate from high school and to get into and succeed throughout college. We offer SAT prep, college trips, cultural projects, community projects, and homework help. As part of our summer program, I will be taking the kids to Texas for a week.
So...why Texas??? In August, I (Leah) started working at Exodus as an Americorps Vista volunteer, with the goal of helping to develop the high school curriculum. I'm a born and raised Texan, transplanted in New York City. For the past five years I've worked and volunteered with Extreme Youth Leadership Training Camp, a camp I attended as a high school student. The staff facilitates young people in developing a plan of action targeting the problems that they face in their community. The camp brings together hundreds of youth who are passionate about changing their world. Every student who attends EYL camp is treated like a rockstar. Because there is such a positive environment at the camp, we often have probation officers bring in their youth. This is the perfect opportunity for our high school students to get out of the Heights, and into a new environment, surrounded by teens making healthy decisions.
After camp, I am taking the students to my hometown to visit my family's ranch. Dilley, Texas is a tiny town about an hour south of San Antonio and an hour north of the Mexico border. At the ranch, the kids can ride horses, look for arrow heads, and watch the deer walk up to the back porch. None of them have ever been to Texas, and many of them haven't been out of the city. This is an awesome opportunity for them to see what life is like outside of Washington Heights.
We are currently fundraising to get the money for our trip. I want all of our 15 students to be able to come, which means we have a lot of money to raise (about $650 per student). In hopes of finding sponsorship for the group, I made this video to allow people to get to know a few of my students.
If you feel moved to support us financially, checks can be made out to Operation Exodus and sent to us at 21 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033. Otherwise, we would greatly appreciate your prayer support.
I can't wait to meet yall this summer! See ya soon!
Leah Foster
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