{"id":16577,"date":"2018-10-19T21:43:32","date_gmt":"2018-10-20T01:43:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/?p=16577"},"modified":"2018-10-19T21:53:48","modified_gmt":"2018-10-20T01:53:48","slug":"tusculum-university-emerald-youth-foundation-partner-to-help-urban-students-discern-and-fulfill-calling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www3.tusculum.edu\/news\/news\/2018\/tusculum-university-emerald-youth-foundation-partner-to-help-urban-students-discern-and-fulfill-calling\/","title":{"rendered":"Tusculum University, Emerald Youth Foundation partner to help urban students discern and fulfill calling"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Tusculum

From left, Dr. James Hurley, president of Tusculum University; Steve Diggs, president and CEO of Emerald Youth Foundation; high school students Nicole Geller and Javell Swanson; and Tusculum student Kenderick Grant highlighted the partnership during a news conference Friday afternoon, Oct. 19.<\/p><\/div>Tusculum University and Emerald Youth Foundation<\/a> are partnering to support Emerald Youth\u2019s efforts to transform the future of urban youth toward long-term success and become Godly young adult leaders in the city.<\/p>\n

The university has committed significant resources during the next three years for Emerald Youth\u2019s Calling and Career Ministry, which helps high school students discern their post-graduation path. The Calling and Career Ministry centers are modeled after university learning and student success facilities. Tusculum\u2019s financial and personnel contribution will assist with staffing, materials, technology and transportation costs associated with this innovative program.<\/p>\n

Tusculum students will work alongside Emerald Youth employees and tutor and mentor program participants. In addition, the university will provide workshop speakers on topics such as the ACT and completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA.<\/p>\n

Dr. James Hurley, Tusculum\u2019s president, said the university is thrilled to engage with Emerald Youth and increase the likelihood its participants will continue their education after high school. Having a degree from a college or university dramatically increases earning potential and, ultimately, someone\u2019s quality of life, he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmerald Youth Foundation has provided an admirable service that has made a profound difference in children\u2019s lives for more than a quarter century,\u201d Dr. Hurley said. \u201cTusculum University is grateful to develop a relationship with this faith-based organization and contribute to each child\u2019s promise. We are committed to playing an active role in the community, and this collaboration with Emerald Youth Foundation aligns perfectly with our focus on civic engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emerald Youth operates Calling and Career Ministry sites in the Oakwood-Lincoln Park and Mechanicsville neighborhoods and will open one soon in Lonsdale. Emerald Youth also hopes to open locations in East and South Knoxville in the coming years. The organization said the partnership with Tusculum will address Knoxville\u2019s pervasive urban youth crisis. Consider these challenging statistics:<\/p>\n