A&M-Corpus Christi’s ‘Upward Bound’ Makes Impact at Local Food Bank
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Programs for Academic Student Support (PASS) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi supports two Upward Bound programs, which are federally funded TRIO programs through the United States Department of Education. Upward Bound North Program and Upward Bound Central Program are designed to help young students prepare for college entrance by providing opportunities for them to succeed in high school, and ultimately, in their pursuit of higher education.
However, success in academics is not the only mission of Upward Bound. The program is also dedicated to providing students with opportunities to learn and grow as leaders. Encouraging students to volunteer is also an important part of the program because it allows students to work as a team, gain new experiences, give back to others, expand their connections, gain a sense of accomplishment, build career options and learn new skills.
On Jan. 20, the Upward Bound North and Central Programs at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi participated in a volunteer service event at the Coastal Bend Food Bank. The student who volunteered created food baskets by sorting and packaging food for families in need. Students from West Oso, Foy H. Moody, Roy Miller, and Solomon Coles High Schools all took time from their weekend to give back to the Coastal Bend community. The 20 students who volunteered each completed seven hours of community service.
“Upward Bound is helping the students gain the skills and motivation necessary to succeed in academics and life,” said April Jasso, director for Upward Bound North and Upward Bound Central Programs at A&M-Corpus Christi.
Upward Bound students have also taken a recent educational tour of the Texas State Aquarium, and later this month, they will visit the Harbor Playhouse for a showing of “Clue: The Musical.” Later in the spring, the young students will participate in the BIG Event, a day of service for Islander to express their gratitude to those in the community who support the Island University.
