About Us: Innovative Nonprofit Organization in Middle Georgia
Reach2Teach is an innovative, creative, and cutting-edge 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Middle Georgia dedicated to supporting the needs of young individuals and families in the region, contributing to the improvement of their quality of life. The organization’s projects, implemented by an experienced staff, focus on personal development and aim to change lives from the inside out. Reach2Teach provides individuals with a solid foundation for success.
Our Formation
The organization was recently established by a group of stakeholders who recognized the positive correlation between the challenges faced by individuals in Middle Georgia and the resources made available to them through both private and publicly funded programs. Headquartered in Eatonton, GA, our mission is accomplished by addressing critical issues such as education, poverty, and financial hardship through local initiatives and targeted outreach programming.
We adhere to high standards of ethics and best practices in management and accountability. Our aim is to help each person reach his or her potential by fostering wholesome habits such as perseverance, goal setting, and self-sufficiency—skills that will be beneficial as they transition into adulthood.
Our Commitment
Individual empowerment and self-determination are core components of our organization. Founded in 2003 by Gus Kilgore, Reach2Teach was conceived to meet the physical, intellectual, and financial needs of Middle Georgia, countering failure and facilitating a successful transition to life in a positive environment. We demonstrate a passionate commitment to excellence and firmly believe that character matters.
The Challenges of Obtaining a College Education
Current Concerns
The challenges faced by our youth today raise serious concerns. Budget cuts and tough economic conditions are affecting educational programs. Coupled with the persistent presence of drugs, violence, and a lack of adult role models, these issues create significant obstacles for our kids. It is essential that we act to support and assist our youth.
Rising Costs of Education
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, for the 2011–12 academic year, the estimated annual costs for undergraduate tuition, room, and board were $14,300 at public institutions, $37,800 at private nonprofit institutions, and $23,300 at private for-profit institutions. Between the 2001–02 and 2011–12 academic years, prices for undergraduate tuition, room, and board at public institutions rose by 40%, while prices at private nonprofit institutions increased by 28% after adjusting for inflation.
In 1981-82, the cost for all institutions was $3,489; for public institutions, it was $2,663; and for private nonprofit and for-profit institutions, it was $6,166. Thirty years later, costs across all types of institutions have more than quintupled.
Increasing Enrollment Trends
Over the past couple of decades, there has been a notable increase in college enrollment. Between 1991 and 2001, enrollment in degree-granting institutions rose by 11%, and from 2001 to 2011, it increased by 32%, growing from 15.9 million to 21.0 million students. Much of this growth between 2001 and 2011 was attributed to full-time enrollment, which rose by 38% compared to a 23% increase in part-time students. During this same period, the number of female students increased by 33%, while the number of male students rose by 30%.
Age Demographics and Enrollment Rates
Between 2001 and 2011, the population of 18- to 24-year-olds increased from 28.0 million to 31.1 million, an 11% rise. Simultaneously, the percentage of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college grew from 36% in 2001 to 42% in 2011. In addition to enrollment in accredited 2-year colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities, approximately 572,000 students attended non-degree-granting, Title IV-eligible postsecondary institutions in the fall of 2011. These institutions, which do not award associate’s or higher degrees, include those offering only career and technical programs lasting less than two years.
Graduation Rates
Despite the increase in college enrollment, researchers reported in 2009 that the national average of students completing their college education within six years was 55.5%, a decline from the 59% completion rate reported in 2005. These graduation rates varied based on the type of postsecondary institution, with the highest rates observed at the most selective degree-granting institutions, which had the lowest admissions acceptance rates.
Poverty and Unemployment in America
Barriers to Employment
Today, numerous barriers prevent individuals from obtaining meaningful employment, including the lack of a high school diploma or GED. Researchers estimate that more than a million children leave school each year without a traditional high school diploma. This situation has significant repercussions for both students and society, disproportionately affecting racial groups, ultimately influencing income distribution, and creating health disparities.
Financial Implications of Dropping Out
The most apparent consequence of failing to graduate high school is lower expected lifetime earnings. In 2012, the median weekly earnings for workers without a high school diploma were $417, while those with a high school diploma earned a median $652. This earnings disparity accumulates over time, with dropouts estimated to earn $260,000 less over their lifetimes compared to high school graduates.
Furthermore, the unemployment rate for individuals lacking a high school diploma is nearly double the overall rate, standing at 12.4%, compared to 8.3% for those who have earned a high school diploma.
Employment Experience and Benefits
Non-high school graduates also tend to work fewer weeks each year and are less likely to have access to employer-provided pension plans and health insurance. This results in less accumulated job experience over time; workers without a high school diploma gain an average of 4.6 years of experience as they age from 22 to 30, while those with a diploma gain approximately 5.9 years of experience.
Poverty and Food Insecurity in Georgia
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 182,672 households in Georgia, or over 8%, receive food stamps or SNAP benefits. The Department of Labor reports that the unemployment rate in Georgia is 7.1%, slightly higher than the national rate of 6.7%. More than 17% of Georgians live below the poverty line. Meanwhile, the HUD reported that families that pay more than 30% of their income for housing are considered cost-burdened and may struggle to afford basic necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care.
Approximately 12 million renter and homeowner households currently pay over 50% of their annual incomes for housing. A family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States.
