Options is a college prep program free to all New York City students. Also listed here are other free education programs. [more]

The Dorm Project allows foster youth to live in a dorm throughout college, including holidays and summer break. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fights. [more]

The writer is derailed from school by abuse and neglect, trauma and mental illness. She keeps trying, though, and eases her way back toward college through a hands-on nursing program. [more]

Alesha loses her way because of abuse, foster care, and addiction. Seeing her friends graduate inspires her to get her GED and then go to college. [more]
[LESSON PLAN]

Zach interviewed people at the September 20, 2019 climate march in New York. The march coincided with the United Nations climate summit and featured 16-year-old Greta Thunberg's speech at the end. [more]

Adrian is nonbinary and is often questioned about the legitimacy of their gender. They wonder why queer history is never taught in school and research cultures around the world that accept nonbinary people. [more]
[LESSON PLAN]

The author faces many obstacles to school success: trauma, lack of support, and at least one learning disability. He gets through high school and must choose between college and a vocational program. [more]

When Andrew takes an AP Human Geography course, he learns about how Native Americans were, and continue to be, oppressed and mistreated. He continues to learn about their plight, and writes this story to raise awareness. [more]
[LESSON PLAN]

Marie finds she doesn't want everyone in her college dorm to know she's in care. And even though she keeps her secret, she eventually opts for the privacy of living off-campus. [more]

This writer found her college footing thanks in part to ASAP, a program that supports low-income students in New York City's public community colleges. [more]