College for the Neglected Child

For years there has been discussions about getting low income students into college.  There is another group of students that that need some major attention, the neglected student.  Unfortunately most of us know a few, those kids that live at home with one or two parents but the parents do nothing for the student.  Many times these are also poverty kid but not always.  They are the students that get themselves up for school, do their own laundry,  and work a part-time job.  Their parents don't come to parent/teacher conferences, don't return calls or even show up for athletic or recognition events.  Many times they yell and fight with each other a lot.  They do not show affection to their kids or help them out.  They may be in and out of jail or they just do not care about their children.  Many of these kids want to have a better life but the process is overwhelming.  Not only is the cost shocking, they struggle with the process.  There are so many basic skills that they have not witnessed or been taught how,  like speaking to a sales person, dealing with frustration or asking off work.  These parents are not going to fill out the FAFSA form for their kids or even help them fill it out.  These parents are not going to take them to college visits.  They are used to "the world being against them" leaving them quick to give up with frustration.  When they encounter problems with the FAFSA, they want to give up.  Many of these kids we ask, how did that apple fall so far from the tree; the kids are so different from their parents.  These kids are often problem solvers, bright, hardworking and proud.  They are in no hurry to ask for help, they are going to try to do it all themselves but college many times is the exception.  Some of these students have no transportation or drivers license so they cannot visit colleges on their own. There are some colleges that are arranging so students can stay in the dorms during breaks and even summers to combat the issue of homeless students or students from difficult homes. The best thing, in my opinion, for some of these kids is to go away to school and get away from their situation but how do they move into the dorm.  Who is going to tell them what they need. They could get a full ride scholarship and the parents may not be willing to help them move away to a dorm, or not even support the idea of them going to college.  The student has their plates full with school, work and maybe even babysitting siblings.  This leaves no time for community service but most scholarships ask about community service.

Maybe it is not my problem.  I raised my children and never neglected them.  Why does it have to do with me?

Years ago, Hilary Clinton said, "It takes a village".   I did not agree with her at the time but now understand.  We are all chained together in life.  Make it your job to help one kid become a stronger link in the chain.