Firsts are worth celebrating. A child’s first steps or words. The first day of school. Your first paycheck. Now, we have an official way to celebrate those who are in the first generation of their families to attend and graduate college.
It’s called #ProofPointDay, and it was founded by activist Chastity Lord. Children’s Aid quickly got behind the idea because so many of the kids we serve aspire to be “Proof,” and part of the first generation in their family to go to college. We got started at our Staff Summit, where we identified dozens of Children’s Aid staff who were first-generation graduates.
On the actual day, May 27, South Bronx Rising Together, our collective impact initiative in partnership with Phipps Neighborhood, decided to mark the day at the Bronx Family Center. Dozens of young people, and very often their parents, joined New York Assembly Member Michael Blake, Chastity Lord, and Phoebe Boyer to mark this important day.
Assembly Member Blake remembered what it was like to even start thinking about college. “I had no clue what to do,” he said. “My mom said, ‘Just go ask people.’” He cited key mentors who showed him the way to Northwestern University. He told all the young people in the room, “Don’t be afraid of the things you don’t know. Don’t limit yourself.”
Chastity Lord urged kids to follow through on their aspirations. “College changes the way you dream, and it changes the way you demand,” she said.
College success is a cornerstone of our mission at Children’s Aid. We look forward to celebrating #ProofPointDay for years to come.
