Greenwich Alliance For Education Hosts Workshop For AVIS SUCCCESS

Press release from The Greenwich Alliance for Education:

Sept. 22, 2021

The Greenwich Alliance for Education (The Alliance) recently hosted its inaugural “Volly O” Volunteer Workshop designed to give participants a quick exploration of the volunteerism and mentorship opportunities available in support of the robust AVID SUCCESS Program. The event was held on Thursday, September 2nd at the Old Greenwich Social Club.

Volly O was a learn by doing event. Attendees moved from station to station with a VOLLY O PASSPORT to learn what AVID SUCCESS is doing for students and what volunteers can do to help. AVID or Advancement Via Individual Determination is an internationally recognized college readiness system designed to close the achievement gap and promote equity and access in education. The Alliance brought AVID to the Greenwich Public Schools and has continued to support the successful and growing AVID program in our district ever since.

The AVID SUCCESS program is the newest and largest initiative helping AVID students and alumni achieve college and career success by providing essential extensions to GPS AVID experience.
During the workshop, attendees were able to learn about and sign up for volunteer opportunities. As attendees traveled to each station, they were encouraged to:

• Mentor an AVID high school or college student
• Coach a small group of AVID students
• Be a Bench Expert & answer students’ specific questions
• Sponsor a student
• Help with Special Events

Alliance Executive Director Julie Faryniarz shared, “Our AVID SUCCESS program is designed to support and engage GPS AVID students and alumni over a ten-year period through middle school, high school, college, and beyond, and this level of commitment and engagement with our students requires ongoing support from our community. I’m so proud of our inaugural Volly O event, and grateful to the many community members who took part in it, and who continue to have a part in the great work that we do in service to the students of GPS.”

Despite Hurricane Ida touching town in our area the night before the event, The Alliance was proud to host roughly 31 participants at the event. There are still plenty of opportunities to sign-up to be a mentor, a coach, or join our bench of experts. If interested, please email: Julie@greenwichalliance.org.

This press release was produced by The Greenwich Alliance for Education. The views expressed here are the author's own.