CSU-Pueblo and PCC to lead local TRIO Day activities Feb. 28
Release Date: February 18, 2015
PUEBLO - Students and graduates of the TRiO programs at Colorado State University-Pueblo and Pueblo Community College will engage in a day of service with POSADA on February 28 to show appreciation to the community for its support of the TRiO programs.
Unlike student financial aid programs which help students overcome financial barriers to higher education, the TRiO programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Students Support Services, Educational Opportunity Centers) provide valuable supportive services to students from low-income and working families to help them successfully enter college and graduate. In Pueblo, TRiO programs provide students with information and access to postsecondary education and workforce readiness support services at CSU-Pueblo and PCC.
CSU-Pueblo and PCC TRiO programs have partnered with POSADA for the day of service as well as a drive to collect items for homeless youth and homeless families throughout the month of February. The group will repair the fence and do yard work at the Elko Emergency Family Shelter, 207 Elko Ave., as well as clean and paint interior rooms. They also will sort donated clothing and compile "travel bags" of personal hygiene items. Sorting of donations will begin at 8 a.m. Distribution to the homeless population will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. A luncheon for volunteers, students, and Shining Star recipients beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Fortino Ballroom at PCC will include Shining Star Awards to outstanding TRiO participants: CSU-Pueblo Upward Bound: Julio Gonzales, junior at Central High School; PCC Upward Bound: Cameron Taylor, TRIO SSS PCC: Leonard Gomez; CSU-Pueblo SSS, Richard Tawse.
TRiO seeks a variety of items for POSADA, which can be dropped off at locations across the two campuses or can be picked up by calling 719.549.2111. The most requested items are tents, duffle bags, sleeping bags, and backpacks. In addition, personal items such as toiletries, gloves, make-up, scarves, combs, hats, brushes, deodorant, batteries, cleaning supplies, socks, clothing, water bottles, water, dry goods, granola or nutrition bars, all will be readily accepted.
National TRiO Day highlights the achievements of TRiO programs nationwide and is meant to focus the nation's attention on the "needs of disadvantages young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives, to the necessary investment if they are to become contributing citizens of the country, and to the talent which will be wasted if that investment is not made." Today, more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and community agencies host more than 2,100 TRiO projects that serve more than 840,000 young people and adults annually.
Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.