4 minute read
The Power of Three
GIVING BACK
What happens when three friends share a passion for service and a vision for how to help recent high school graduates more easily transition to college? Margaret Anderson ’25, Elizabeth Dike ’25, and Claiborne Edwards ’25 (pictured left) formed a nonprofit organization, aptly named The Power of Three, approximately three years ago to help new graduates navigate this journey. Their organization’s purpose is to help graduates in the Como Community Center’s College Readiness Program prepare for college by pairing them with FWCD families to ensure the new graduates have what they need for a successful start to college. The Power of Three bridges the gap, so students have the necessities for their college home away from home.
FWCD’s existing summer college-prep programs inspired The Power of Three. The Power of Three “riffs” on that purpose by aiding graduating seniors in obtaining appropriate furnishings for their residence hall rooms and other items that allow them to start on the right foot as they begin their college careers.
Clara L. Kirby, Como Community Center Coordinator, knows the power of the threesome. “They are providing a valuable service to Como graduates, most of whom are the first in their families to attend college,” Kirby said. “The necessary dorm room items, such as refrigerators, microwaves, linens and toiletries, allow the students and their families to concentrate on the fees, books, and meal plans.”
All three young women have been involved with Como Community Center since elementary school. “We have all enjoyed working and getting to know the kids and watching them grow,” Dike said.
As the three Falcons grew older, they wanted to provide more. Dike’s family had already been involved with the College Readiness Program, so the trio decided to take over that service, creating the Power of Three and finding additional ways to help the graduates.
Anderson, Dike and Edwards realized that success in high school, college and life is more likely to occur with information and support to explore and handle new situations. This was the basis of their decision to add a new dimension to the College Readiness Program – helping high school graduates more easily transition to college.
Anderson explained that they pair Como graduates with FWCD families who shop for needed items for the students’ dorm rooms, typically in the late spring and summer. Before the graduates head off to college, they are invited to a luncheon at the Como Community Center, where they pick up the supplies and meet their buddy FWCD families who assisted in providing the transition supplies. “Many families exchange phone numbers to keep in touch throughout the year,” Anderson said. Since The Power of Three organized formally, the nonprofit has helped approximately 75 students, 20-25 students each summer.
“It’s rewarding to see the difference we can make in the community and the positive impact the supplies make on people’s lives,” Anderson said. For Edwards, “It’s the opportunity to support these recent graduates who have succeeded through hard work in high school.” The excitement Como graduates express when they see their dorm rooms decked out with their new furnishings is the only thanks these three Falcons need.
The plan for The Power of Three is to continue the work through their remaining high school years, possibly continuing throughout their college years, or entrusting the program to younger Falcons to carry on.
“The Power of Three meets the needs of students who are continuing their education at college, and not just that, but staying on campus while doing so,” Kirby said. “ A lot of the graduates’ parents are able to provide limited assistance. The Power of Three makes a difference to them, and they appreciate the supplies bestowed upon them. To me, the program’s value is more than monetary. It is life-changing.”
