CHAMPS

CHAMPS-Eastminster, Communities Helping, Assisting, and Motivating Promising Students, is a mission/outreach program of our church to our community. Working through Richland School Districts One and Two, this program selects approximately thirty rising seventh graders each year to become part of this effort, the sole purpose of which is to help the students achieve their highest post-secondary education possible. Of specific interest are students who may be the first in their family to attend college, who believe college is too expensive and, therefore, unattainable, or who have never had independent living experiences that help make the transition from home to college more successful.

Unique in several aspects, CHAMPS-Eastminster is a six-year program that prepares students for the college experience by providing:

• a two-week summer academic residential program at Presbyterian College (for four of the six years) where students have a roommate, eat meals in the dining hall, attend academic and character education classes, and use college facilities;
• Community service opportunities for all six years which help students balance academic life with leadership/service opportunities in the community;
• Mentoring experiences from college students within the state, and
• Networking opportunities through internships and/or summer jobs that help the students save money for college.

Another unique and crucial aspect of this program is family involvement. A Parents’ Council meets regularly to plan and facilitate monthly follow-up activities during the school year. The council acts as extended family to the students by contacting them about upcoming activities, providing transportation opportunities for those who need them, sending birthday cards to the students, and offering congratulations or condolence to students and their families.
A Steering Committee that is made up of interested church and community members who provide leadership from the business, educational, and service areas of the greater Columbia area direct the program.

The CHAMPS-Eastminster partnership with the Richland County community forms a circle within which students can grow and achieve their full potential. Our commitment to these students and their families is producing a lasting bond that will inspire them to Help, Assist, and