I have watched them graduate from high school with hopes for college, only to see those hopes wither.  Sometimes it is a little obstacle that happens over the summer after graduation and they never make it. I have seen several others who have enrolled in college for freshmen year only to become discouraged and drop out.

I admit I was feeling pretty good about things as they graduated from high school with college plans ahead. After all, that is one of our biggest goals as volunteers at PTM, right?

So, why are they not succeeding in college? They have opportunities for mentoring, extra tutoring, ACT prep, retreats, summer camp, bible studies and spiritual guidance, as much one-on-one time as PTM can provide for them, Calvin House, PTM youth leaders, family group leaders, Springbreak in the Marketplace, the high school summer jobs program, many prayers and much love from us all and more.  I can remember thinking that we make this wonderful nest for them during the time they spend with us at PTM because we know when they leave many face a harsh reality when away.

What I have learned is that it all has to do with an understanding that generational poverty encompasses much more than a lack of finances. A huge part of this picture that affects our students is the lack of emotional resources and support systems that is also a part of generational poverty.

Emotional resources and support systems are the most important thing lacking for our youth in that very important time following graduation because they are what push a person towards persevering through the difficulities. Not giving up when things are tough and the persistence to stick with a situation and see it through is, at least, partially learned through role models. This is what I have seen as the leading factor that hinders our graduates once they leave PTM after high school graduation from accomplishing their goals that following year.

Navigating through the college admissions process alone is challenging for everyone.  More often than not, our students are first generation college goers. The students, oftentimes basically left to themselves the summer after graduation to finish this process, do not know what to do, do not seek help because there is not encouragement from families to do so, and they give up. Often there is a need that is more pressing to earn income to help out their family. They end up getting a low paying job to help out in the short run instead of having guidance to see the big picture of how they can help themselves and their family in the long run.  Additionally, college is not in the comfort zone for many of these students. It is really an unknown world. It is easier to give up and go with what is comfortable.

The students that do make it to college often find themselves struggling both academically and financially. For example, one former student (a bright star shining on this earth for sure with dreams to be a nurse) left for MTSU for her freshmen year, soon figured out that there was no public transportation in Murfreesboro to get her to a job and back, was broke and without transportation, struggling academically and wasn’t sure how to get help in her classes and lasted one semester- she came home at Christmas and got a job. I am glad to say she is planning to return to college this fall.

A couple of examples of bureaucracy that I helped our students navigate through that may be unique to the circumstances of the socioeconomic group of our PTM students:

Generational poverty and how it affects our students is a deeply rooted and complicated issue. Having adult mentors to guide our students through that key year following graduation can really make a difference in whether they follow through on achieving their dreams that we have prayed, hoped and worked to help them achieve in the years leading up to that point or essentially being absorbed back into the cycle that we were hoping to break.  To me, from what I have experienced in working with the students, the “13 ^th year” might be the most important and far-reaching one of all!