Grant Helps Sandy Springs Students Pursue College Careers

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While most of this year’s graduates from Riverwood International and North Springs Charter high schools began planning their college careers during their junior year, as recent as this past January, some seniors were still uncertain about their plans following graduation.

Thanks to a $2,000 grant from the Darden Foundation and the efforts of the Sandy Springs Education Force, many of these students now have a bright academic future in place.

SSEF’s CHOSEN Program at North Springs Charter High School and SAIL Program at Riverwood International Charter School assist high achieving, low income high school seniors in making post-high school education plans. Participating students are guided through the college application process by trained parent volunteers and school professionals.

Fees for SAT, ACT and college applications are underwritten by the program.

As a result, most of the students who participated this year will attend a two- or four-year college or university in the fall.

“These programs are life changing experiences for so many of our students who are in need of a helping hand to realize their potential and see their future in a post-secondary institution,” said SSEF Executive Director Irene Schweiger.

The Darden Foundation, is the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants Inc. (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s brands). Now in its fourth year, the Restaurant Community Grants program empowers each restaurant in the Darden family to award a $1,000 grant to support local community programs.

Darden’s Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse in Sandy Springs each presented their funds to the Sandy Springs Education Force because these two programs exemplify the foundation’s mission: to provide access to post-secondary education.

“We’re proud to be able to support Sandy Springs Education Force through our Restaurant Community Grants program,” said Stephanie Ghertner, director of the Darden Foundation. “Our team members are incredibly passionate about getting involved in their local communities, and this program enables them to do just that.”

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PHOTO: From left to right are: Asanti Taylor of LongHorn Sandy Springs; Jeannie Diluzio, a SAIL mentor and SSEF Board member; Irene Schweiger, SSEF’s Exec. Dir.; Crysten Wells of LongHorn Sandy Springs; and Ebony Kirby, Managing Partner of LongHorn Sandy Spring. Credit: Sandy Springs Education Force