Y Achievers Success Stories

Nasha Bunch and Kalia Cole-Avery

She never imagined joining anything outside of school. Then Kalia had a talk with her mom.  Turns out that Mrs. Cole-Avery had registered her very shy daughter for the YMCA Achiever’s program.

Initially, Kalia fought the idea.  But as her first Achiever’s meeting turned into her tenth and then her twentieth, she realized that leaving the nest wasn’t so bad. Now Kalia is a second-year Drexel student, preparing to be a nurse anesthetist and with her sights set on an accelerated master’s degree.

A career-driven sophomore at Temple University, Nasha Bunch is studying finance, real estate, and communications. Her future plans include a job in broadcasting.  Nasha learned about Y Achievers during religion class at West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls.  With nothing to do on Saturdays, she figured it was worth trying out the program.

For both girls, Y Achievers has opened up a world of possibilities.

The college-readiness program is for youth of color, grades seven through 12.  Participants come from all different backgrounds, but they share one thing in common—a desire to make good choices.  Y Achievers exposes them to college life and careers through university and workplace tours.

According to YMCA Achievers Associate Director Avery Ross, students of color are not attending college at the same rate as some of their peers.  “We give them the chance to have the same experiences—to advance to college or some type of post secondary education.”

The Adult Achievers, who help guide students like Nasha and Kalia, are “team mentors.” They lead career groups in business, entrepreneurship, engineering, science, technology, law and government, education, and the humanities. Y Achievers meet bi-monthly from September through June at Drexel University.

Program graduates are the best testament to the programs’ successful formula.  “It changed my life and helped me to achieve my goals,” says Kalia. I will never forget that.”