CORE will also unveil the most recent findings from its national survey – the only one of its kind currently conducted – Residential Education in the U.S.: An Overview. The findings provide an overall landscape of the residential education field, including who is served by residential education programs, program models used, funding and referral sources, and compelling overall outcomes.

For more information, please contact the CORE office.

Another 13.1% will attend trade and technical schools, while 1.6% will join the military and 7% will enter the workforce.

This achievement is especially impressive given the backgrounds of these youth: the vast majority are from low-income, single or zero parent families, with many from the foster care system. A significant number were homeless prior to enrolling in one of the approximately 40 residential education programs in CORE’s network.

When compared to the national college enrollment rate for all high school graduates of 70.1% (2009, latest figure, Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor), one can see the effectiveness of residential education for disadvantaged youth who are traditionally underrepresented in post-secondary education.

CORE applauds all graduates and their programs for this outstanding success. Congratulations!

Those who attended this year’s CORE National Conference will remember him as the inspiring and very effective closing keynote speaker.

We look forward to continuing our dialogue with him!

We look forward to having you join us! Please stay tuned for more information.

- Overview of 2010 National Conference Events

Directed by Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim (also of An Inconvenient Truth), Waiting for Superman follows five promising students through our country’s education system that inhibits – rather than encourages – academic growth. The documentary provides an exhaustive review of public education. One of the five students hopes to attend residential education program The SEED School of Washington, DC, and illustrates the high stakes for families without many options.

Waiting for Superman will be released this fall and is the recipient of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best U.S. Documentary.

From Place to Place spends two years in the lives of six youth who recently aged out of Montana’s foster care system. At 18 years old, they are forced to leave the system without the skills or support they need to be successful. They struggle immensely to make the transition from foster care to independence. Their stories of trauma, abandonment, multiple placements, and aging out can argue the need for nurturing residential education programs, many of which also have transitional independent living programs where graduates can continue to reside and learn life skills as they transition to adulthood. The film will be released in December.

- Trailer for Waiting for Superman - Official Movie Web Site 6/3/10
- Trailer for From Place to Place - Official Movie Web Site 6/3/10

CORE member programs tailored events to fit their individual program’s needs and strengths.
A sampling of events include:

Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children instituted their second annual Advocacy Day, where youth success stories were delivered to each state representative, and youth met with policymakers to share how residential education has impacted their lives.

Boys’ Home, Inc. in Virginia instituted their second annual “Heads and Shoulders” open house event, inviting community members to learn about their program. Youth showcased the array of services offered. Allegheny County author Josh Hagy also spoke to youth about the importance of literature and writing.

Methodist Children’s Home in Texas used the Willson-Johnson Lecture Series for social workers, teachers, and counselors in Central Texas as an opportunity to educate child welfare professionals on the residential education option. The guest speaker was Frank Kros, president of The Upside Down Organization and executive vice president of The Children’s Guild in Maryland.

Crossnore School in North Carolina organized an open house event for the local community and a campus-wide assembly where NASCAR Hall of Famer and Crossnore alumnus Waddell Wilson inspired youth and staff with his personal story of determination,
overcoming hardships, and achieving success with the help of Crossnore support and relationships.

Milton Hershey School (MHS) in Pennsylvania implemented activities that further integrate the academic and residential components of their home and school. In addition to the Houseparent-Teacher Alliance hosting two open forums for staff, houseparents accompanied students to school while teachers and staff ate, toured, and had social time in student homes. A parade showcasing student homes was held. Additionally, MHS alumna and current houseparent Deanna Slamans ‘91 held an assembly and book signing of Faith’s Pursuit, her memoir of growing up at MHS.

Some programs celebrated the day internally while many programs reached out to local media using common language - CORE’s “branding” language that defines and distinguishes residential education.

Wears Valley Ranch is a Christian children’s home and boarding school adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. Licensed by the State of Tennessee as a Residential Child Care Agency and a Child Placing Agency, Wears Valley Ranch serves children from difficult and, in some cases, non-existent home environments. The goal of Wears Valley Ranch is to provide these children with a family environment that seeks to provide nurturing, structure, and stability. Included in services for children are: a full counseling program and a fully-accredited K-12 on-campus school program. For more information, visit www.wvr.org.

Wears Valley Ranch is currently interviewing married couples for the position of houseparents for one of our boys’ homes which will become available July 15, 2010. Responsibilities will include: supervision of eight boys, as well as tutoring the boys academically and discipling them in the Christian faith. Excellent supervision and support is provided for the houseparents. The benefits package includes: room and board, salary, medical insurance, and retirement benefits. The work schedule is 5 days on and 2 days off per week, with 3 weeks of vacation per year.

Interested couples may contact Richard Petsch, Director of Residential Services, at (865) 429-0372 or rpetsch [at] wvr [dot] org.

Celebrating Alternative Education Settings Serving At-Risk Youth

Washington, DC – Approximately 40 boarding schools and children’s homes for over 10,000 socially and economically disadvantaged youth across the United States will celebrate next Wednesday the second-ever National Residential Education Day. The celebration is part of a national effort to increase public awareness of “residential education” as a crucial option for at-risk youth.

Residential education programs are community-like settings where children severely challenged by homelessness, abuse, neglect, the child welfare system, and low-income, high-crime neighborhoods live and learn together, outside of their homes, within stable, supportive environments. The majority of children live on a campus, in single-family homes with a married couple and seven to ten other boys or girls. Other children, mostly in urban areas, live in boarding school-style dormitories with trained adult mentors. In 2009, 79% of CORE-member residential education program graduates went on to attend two- and four-year colleges.

With an average length of stay of two years and funded privately or through a public-private partnership, residential education is a growing trend that transforms the lives of children on the margins.

Positioned within National Foster Care Month, National Residential Education Day seeks to increase recognition and understanding of the approximately 150 programs across the country that provide at-risk youth chances to live safe, productive, and meaningful lives. September 2006 federal foster care legislation was passed adding residential education as a valid placement option for children in the child welfare system, and as a viable alternative to traditional foster care homes.

“Kids need physical and emotional safety, and they need a quality education. They need the feeling of belonging to a nurturing community, a belief in self, and a structure to grow in,” says Heidi Goldsmith, executive director of Washington, DC-based CORE: the Coalition for Residential Education, the organization spearheading National Residential Education Day. “Ideally, that structure is a good family. But if that is not possible, kids need not what looks like a family, but what behaves like a healthy family.”

Programs in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma and beyond are hosting open house events and on-campus parades and celebrations, instituting Advocacy Days to bring youth and alumni to speak with state policymakers, implementing letter-writing campaigns to state legislators, planning lecture series that further educate participants about residential education, reaching out to local media, and making “A Day in the Life of…” films to spread awareness of this valuable education alternative. Additionally, Florida Governor Crist has proclaimed May 6 as Florida Residential Education Day.

Crossnore School alumnus Michael Jones says, “I would not be where I am today without the help and influence of the caring staff, teachers, and houseparents at Crossnore. What is so amazing is that for any other person, there are roadblocks to the things I have done and want to do. For me, these roadblocks just kind of disappeared and I am free to go where I want to go. Crossnore gave me these opportunities.” Enrolling in Crossnore School in 2004 after his family faced financial crisis and his once stable home unraveled, Michael graduated from Crossnore School in 2007 and, after working on the presidential campaign, is now a freshman at New York University.

For more information on residential education and specific events occurring around the country, contact Maya Aguilar at CORE: the Coalition for Residential Education.

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The awards, generously sponsored again this year by the Milton Hershey School, are administered by CORE: the Coalition for Residential Education. Judges are supporters, alumni, and youth work professionals who rank all submitted nominations with personal and program information removed.

Congratulations to the 2010 Award Winners!

We look forward to honoring winners at the upcoming 2010 CORE National Conference, hosted by Mooseheart and Glenwood Schools in Illinois.

Student of the Year – Josh Mayers, Glenwood School for Boys and Girls
“In his nine years of work and growth at Glenwood School, Josh has developed into one of the school’s finest students. He has overcome tremendous obstacles to prove himself in the classroom and as a leader in our residential program. Josh has stood out in his willingness to help and support others. His achievements, both academic and athletic, have been an excellent example for others to follow. When he spoke about his Glenwood experience at a Thanksgiving luncheon, his words and sincerity were instrumental in raising over six hundred thousand dollars to support Glenwood’s work. But more importantly, you could see the regard and admiration that younger students had for Josh and how they will be motivated to follow his lead.”

Residential Educators of the Year – Phil and Mae Smith, Houseparents, Methodist Children’s Home
“The Smiths are committed homeparents to eight boys. They keep each boy’s interests, welfare, and individual success at the forefront of their work. Both Phil and Mae use everyday life experiences to teach important skills. They are enthusiastic, upbeat, and never give up on ‘hard to reach’ youth. The pair recognizes that serving others is essential in helping youth heal the pain in their own lives. Phil and his boys contributed over 200 hours of community service work during 2009. Phil and Mae take the boys on organized outings, participate in fall festivals and summer programs at the Boys Ranch, and cheer on the boys during athletic events. They offer other staff members their wisdom from the many years of child care experiences, and have contributed to building a strong program at the Boys Ranch.”

Administrator of the Year – Dr. Phyllis Crain, Executive Director, Crossnore School
“Dr. Crain has developed countless programs and services all focused at improving the quality of children’s lives. Since her beginnings at Crossnore, Dr. Crain has grown the school’s endowment from $1.5 million to $17.4 million. She is an advocate of limitless range and creativity. Where others see brokenness, pain, or devastation, she sees hope, healing, and opportunity. Her work has transformed the school inside and out. Her diligence secured new wording in state law that allows placement of at-risk children in quality programs sooner. Dr. Crain is an effective advocate and role model because she is a studied and practiced listener. She urges the children to speak for themselves, that they have the strongest voice of all.”

Residential Supervisor of the Year – Maura Fitzgerald-West, Director of Training, Glenwood School for Boys and Girls
“Maura is a truly unselfish person who has devoted her life to others. With her superior listening and people skills, she has developed a personal rapport with students and staff alike, providing almost anyone who crosses her path with a sense of purpose and value. She developed the residential program from custodial care to one that prepares children to succeed in every aspect of their lives. She single-handedly created KidShop, a creative woodworking shop, and made the Drumline and Drill team possible. Maura turns the toughest of kids into pleasant, more confident individuals who have better self-esteem than they ever believed was possible. She never looks for credit for anything that she does; the answer is always, ‘It’s for the kids.’ She is the enviable example of what a true leader should be.”

Alumnus of the Year – John Beheler, Principal at Lower Brule Elementary School, St. Joseph’s Indian School
“Having worked for the school in multiple positions and currently as Principal at Lower Brule Elementary School, John has developed important programming that is still in place. He knows the Native traditional ways and works openly with others to share his culture. He has conducted a large number of presentations over the years, designed to give both Native American and non-Indians, both students and staff, a better understanding of Indian culture. He completed a mural that acknowledges all the tribes we serve in South Dakota. His artistic ability is just one of the many ways John acts as a role model for Native American youth who need these positive examples in their lives.”

Alumnus of the Year – Myron McCurdy, Elementary Division Home Life Administrator, Milton Hershey School
“Myron has dedicated his life’s work to the care and nurturing of youth. In his words, ‘It is all about the children.’ He builds relationships and creates a culture of genuine trust. Walking down the hallways with Myron, you will almost always lose him because he has stopped to speak to the students walking by. He consistently reminds our team that we have to show our students love, even in the midst of a behavioral issue. Countless times someone has shared a kind deed that Myron has done for them. He works tirelessly to ensure that the needs of our students are being met. There is not another individual who is more dedicated to our students and our school as Myron McCurdy.”

Trustees of the Year – Chuck and Shirley Rollason, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch
“Since getting involved six years ago, Chuck and Shirley have made it a point to visit all of our campuses, participate in events, and come to graduations, Christmas parties, and open houses. Whenever kids are involved, they want to be there. They take a very personal interest in our young men and women. Each year they give thousands of dollars that have a direct impact on each child. They host outings and send individual gift cards to every child. Chuck believes not in bricks and mortar of buildings, but positive life experiences directly provided to kids as the best way to give of time and resources. Chuck and Shirley are role models for us all in the area of giving unselfishly.”

*CORE thanks the Milton Hershey School for their support of the Catherine Hershey Awards. Catherine Hershey and her husband Milton Hershey founded the Milton Hershey School in 1909. A champion of children and a woman of great inspiration and compassion, CORE is proud to have the awards bear Mrs. Hershey’s name.

Thank you to Bill Frye of CORE-member Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches for attaining this great success!

In addition to residential education programs in Florida, programs nationwide will celebrate the second annual National Residential Education Day on May 6. This day-long public awareness event is an opportunity for residential education programs to reach out to policymakers, decision-makers within the child welfare and education fields, funders, and the community at large to better share with them the invaluable services residential education provides youth from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

CORE envisions May 6 as a powerful platform upon which residential education programs can increase recognition and understanding of their value.

Through relationships with local media, policymakers, and supporters, programs will concentrate their awareness-building efforts on one specific day to enhance visibility. CORE encourages programs across the country to get involved - highlighting their services and accomplishments within this national context, and having fun while doing so!