New York State Senator Raymond A. Meier, R-C, Western, visited the ACCESS Project at Hamilton on Dec. 9 to announce that he was able to secure $500,000 through the 2002-2003 New York State budget to continue the Project. Meier met with Hamilton College President Eugene M. Tobin and Director of the ACCESS Project Vivyan Adair, as well as some ACCESS Project students.
The ACCESS Project provides low-income parents with educational opportunities. The program combines an intensive introduction to the liberal arts with social service, career, and family support. All of the students, prior to beginning the program, were dependent on county Social Services programs. The ACCESS Project essentially helps individuals move from a life dependent on public assistance to one as an educated, contributing member of society using education as its primary tool. The first class of ACCESS began in January of 2001.
"Several months ago I met with Vivyan Adair to get an update on the progress on the project. I was absolutely amazed when I saw the changes in the lives of the students who have participated in the program. I have always been a strong believer that education can open new doors, and this program serves as a prime example," Meier said. Senator Meier has been a strong supporter of the program since its inception in 2001.
"ACCESS is an important project, committed to improving low-income parents' lives. Through their educational experiences, participants are empowering themselves, thereby making a difference in our larger community," said Tobin. "We look forward to providing the community with the success stories of many parents who will be aided by this program."
Adair, director of the ACCESS Project, added, "The remarkable success of our students provides even more compelling evidence that access to liberal arts education and pre-career employment, coupled with a comprehensive support network, allows low-income parents to exit intergenerational poverty to become educated, economically secure and self-sufficient workers and citizens."
ACCESS students are unlike traditional students because they face many more challenges, such as abuse, homelessness, domestic violence, low self-esteem, physical and learning disabilities, and family crises. However, despite these obstacles, ACCESS students have far surpassed the statistics of welfare student populations nationwide. In addition, the classes are at par with first-year students at Hamilton College, who have far fewer challenges and are admitted to Hamilton based on their high academic ability.
Monita Webb, a current ACCESS Project student who dropped out of school after 8th grade, said ACCESS has given her the support she needed to get out of an abusive relationship and move on with her goal of obtaining a college education.
"I was a third generation welfare mother, and it's wonderful for me to know that I'm breaking that cycle in my family. My 15-year old son is incredibly proud, and I see that his attitude about school and studies has changed as a result of my involvement with ACCESS."
