Distance learning hasn’t been easy on Torrell Mola.
In the spring, the Providence mother of two was juggling the schooling of her son and daughter who attend different schools, helping them work through math problems she admits that she didn’t quite understand. It didn’t help that she felt the communication with the schools was poor.
At one point, she said she couldn’t tell if her son was failing or passing a class because two digital grading systems were telling her different stories.
Because of these difficulties related to remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic, on top of the academic struggles of the Providence Public School District, Mola worries that many city students won’t be properly prepared to either enter the workforce or continue their education after high school graduation.
As it stands now, more than 70% of jobs require postsecondary education and only 45% of Providence public high schoolers enroll in some form of higher education after graduating, according to a report by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education.
As her children get closer to graduation – son Keyon is in high school and daughter Iliyah is in elementary school – Mola is taking steps now to ensure that they continue their education after high school. Mola has enrolled them in Providence Promise, a parent-driven nonprofit focused on providing support for public school and charter school students to seek higher education.
That support includes assistance in saving for college and “family engagement,” including workshops involving parents and students on topics such as English learner rights, special-education rights and financial literacy.
A centerpiece of the 2-year-old Providence Promise is the college savings plan, for which each family opens 529 CollegeBound Saver accounts and commits to contributing an average 1% of their annual income for up to 15 years.
Providence Promise seeds each account with $150, and there are opportunities to earn more based on student grades and attendance, among other things.
“Providence Promise has done everything for me and my family,” said Mola, who now serves on the organization’s board of directors and parent council, where she helps suggest new programs to create a more equitable landscape for Providence’s students.
The program was launched in 2018 by real estate developer Richard Lappin, president of Lisco Development Inc., after several years of research. “We believe in the families and the kids,” Lappin said. “We are just trying to build a formula to ensure that these kids have an opportunity to go get an education just like anyone else.”
The idea is gaining momentum.
Since Providence Promise’s launch, more than 380 students have enrolled, and families have saved more than $300,000 for their children’s college savings accounts. The nonprofit’s parent council has about 30 active families, up from about five in February 2019.
Enrollment doesn’t lock families into that 1% savings commitment. For those who might become unemployed and have no income, contributions will be lowered to $5 a month, and if a student decides not to pursue higher education or withdraws from Providence Promise, the account and the funds remain with the family.
And students don’t have to commit to a two-year or four-year college. They could also use their savings for technical school or apprenticeship programs.
According to Daniel A. Baudouin, Providence Promise’s board chair and former Providence Foundation executive director, families with as little as $500 in their college savings account are three times more likely to go to college and four times more likely to graduate from college.
“The more families can save, the more power they have,” he said.
The program has won the support of Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, the City Council, and the school district. Most recently, R.I. General Treasurer Seth Magaziner’s office awarded Providence Promise a $10,000 grant to help reach more families. Last year, Providence Promise had a budget of about $200,000 before earning about $30,000 in grants from various sources. About 150 corporate and individual donors provided more.
“It’s not millions of dollars,” Baudouin said. “We had a budget and we were able to accomplish quite a bit.”
By the next fiscal year, the organization is looking to beef up staffing and enroll as many as 650 students, according to Baudouin.
Steffy Molina, the family engagement director, said some families are contributing as little as $5 each month.
“That 1% is looking different for everyone,” said Molina. “Especially during the pandemic, as many are out of work; we have worked with families to adjust their monthly contributions. It’s their own work and success.”
Mola said that during the pandemic, Providence Promise has given her the motivation to encourage her children to look to the future. Her son said he is looking to become an electrician.
“Most parents I know aren’t paying attention. There’s language barriers, cultural differences and it’s just hard to keep up as a parent,” said Mola. “Providence Promise helps everyone. It’s helped all of us.”
Alexa Gagosz is a PBN staff writer. Contact her at Gagosz@PBN.com.
