EOC: Media Advisory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2011

Students Recognized for their Unlimited Potential at Graduation Ceremony

- EOC’s School of Unlimited Learning celebrates its 13th graduation commencement -

(Fresno, CA) - During her sophomore year, Samantha Thompson struggled with balancing her studies and dealing with pregnancy complications. Despite her best effort, Samantha fell behind as she tried to keep up on her academics and adjust to motherhood. Samantha decided to transfer to EOC’s School of Unlimited Learning, and within two years, flourished as a student and a mother. Now, she and 59 of her peers attending Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) School of Unlimited Learning (SOUL) are preparing to cross the stage of Veterans Memorial Auditorium to receive their high school diploma. The community is cordially invited to celebrate SOUL’s annual commencement ceremony Thursday, June 9, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. The graduation will take place at Veterans Memorial Auditorium located at 1235 O Street in downtown Fresno.

“These 60 students were all at–risk of dropping out of high school,” said Dr. Mark Wilson, SOUL’s Chief Academic Officer and Principal. “Our students have dealt with issues ranging from situations at school to problems at home, but these issues don’t reflect our students’ ability to learn and succeed. We are very proud of our senior class for overcoming these barriers and leaving SOUL with a diploma in–hand.”

Samantha is a prime example of overcoming such barriers. Samantha is graduating from SOUL on time and at the top of her class with a 3.9 grade point average. During her time at SOUL, she participated in EOC’s Youth Mentoring Program and as a student representative for SOUL’s Governing Council. “Samantha has shown her unlimited potential,” said Dr. Wilson. “She has excelled during her time at SOUL and has shown tremendous responsibility in balancing her education and being a parent.”

EOC’s School of Unlimited Learning is a public charter school that utilizes a unique and innovative approach to education, targeting high–risk students in 9th through 12th grade. Unlike traditional high schools, students at SOUL are provided with many individualized services, such as case management; tutoring; one-on-one career, academic, and personal counseling; and childcare services. The school offers a classroom–based and independent study program that serves more than 300 students each year. All students in the classroom–based program are provided free breakfast and lunch via EOC’s Food Services, as well as bus tokens to facilitate their transportation to and from school.

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CONTACT

Yahaira Garcia-Perea
559.263.1024
yahaira.garcia-perea@fresnoeoc.org

About EOC

Our Mission
To humanely focus all available resources to empower low-income families and individuals working toward the skills, knowledge and motivation for self-sufficiency.

About EOC
Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, known as EOC, was established in 1965 with the goal of obtaining equality of opportunity in education, employment, health and living conditions for those in need in Fresno County. We are widely recognized and are one of the largest nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the United States.

EOC has spent over four decades investing in people, helping them become self-sufficient. The scope of service provided by our Agency consists of almost all facets of human services and economic development. They range from pre-school education to vocational training; from juvenile and drug abuse counseling to treatment for serious juvenile offenders; from youth recreation to senior citizen hot meal services; from energy conservation education to crisis intervention; from preventive health care to prenatal nutrition education; and from vocational counseling to job placement services.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2011 Students Recognized for their Unlimited Potential at Graduation Ceremony - EOC’s School of Unlimited Learning celebrates its 13th graduation commencement - (Fresno, CA) - During her sophomore year, Samantha Thompson struggled with balancing her studies and dealing with pregnancy complications. Despite her best effort, Samantha fell behind as she tried to keep up on her academics and adjust to motherhood. Samantha decided to transfer to EOC’s School of Unlimited Learning, and within two years, flourished as a student and a mother. Now, she and 59 of her peers attending Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission’s (EOC) School of Unlimited Learning (SOUL) are preparing to cross the stage of Veterans Memorial Auditorium to receive their high school diploma. The community is cordially invited to celebrate SOUL’s annual commencement ceremony Thursday, June 9, 2011, at 12:30 p.m. The graduation will take place at Veterans Memorial Auditorium located at 1235 O Street in downtown Fresno. “These 60 students were all at–risk of dropping out of high school,” said Dr. Mark Wilson, SOUL’s Chief Academic Officer and Principal. “Our students have dealt with issues ranging from situations at school to problems at home, but these issues don’t reflect our students’ ability to learn and succeed. We are very proud of our senior class for overcoming these barriers and leaving SOUL with a diploma in–hand.” Samantha is a prime example of overcoming such barriers. Samantha is graduating from SOUL on time and at the top of her class with a 3.9 grade point average. During her time at SOUL, she participated in EOC’s Youth Mentoring Program and as a student representative for SOUL’s Governing Council. “Samantha has shown her unlimited potential,” said Dr. Wilson. “She has excelled during her time at SOUL and has shown tremendous responsibility in balancing her education and being a parent.” EOC’s School of Unlimited Learning is a public charter school that utilizes a unique and innovative approach to education, targeting high–risk students in 9th through 12th grade. Unlike traditional high schools, students at SOUL are provided with many individualized services, such as case management; tutoring; one-on-one career, academic, and personal counseling; and childcare services. The school offers a classroom–based and independent study program that serves more than 300 students each year. All students in the classroom–based program are provided free breakfast and lunch via EOC’s Food Services, as well as bus tokens to facilitate their transportation to and from school. ### CONTACT Yahaira Garcia-Perea 559.263.1024 yahaira.garcia-perea@fresnoeoc.org	About EOC Our Mission To humanely focus all available resources to empower low-income families and individuals working toward the skills, knowledge and motivation for self-sufficiency. About EOC Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, known as EOC, was established in 1965 with the goal of obtaining equality of opportunity in education, employment, health and living conditions for those in need in Fresno County. We are widely recognized and are one of the largest nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the United States. EOC has spent over four decades investing in people, helping them become self-sufficient. The scope of service provided by our Agency consists of almost all facets of human services and economic development. They range from pre-school education to vocational training; from juvenile and drug abuse counseling to treatment for serious juvenile offenders; from youth recreation to senior citizen hot meal services; from energy conservation education to crisis intervention; from preventive health care to prenatal nutrition education; and from vocational counseling to job placement services.
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