One of our C2L-PHL providers this summer was CORA Services, which offered a middle school program at Northwood Academy Charter School in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Thirty-five youth, ages 12- 14, participated in the six-week program. Among them was Amiya, who offers this first-hand account of her summer experience: 

My name is Amiya, and I would like to share my experience with the CORA Services C2L-PHL middle school program. I would describe my time in the program as fun, scary, life changing as well as a time to remember. I started the program when I was 12 and I am now 14. 

When I first started, I was timid and closed off, I did not know anybody, and I did not know my surroundings. But the teachers there made it very easy for me to get comfortable. I have now made amazing bonds and relationships. Throughout my time in the C2L-PHL program, I have been on various college trips such as Cheney, Widener, LaSalle, and many more.  

Being in C2L-PHL has given me a chance to learn how to manage money. We would have people from banks and other professions come and talk about their time and experiences working at their jobs. Being a part of C2L-PHL and being with other students helped me learn teamwork and leadership skills for the real world.  

All the teachers, site directors and students have helped me come out of my shell. They have all helped me learn and experience new things, they’ve helped me grow as a person and helped me break down what I want to be in life.  

I have seen and heard about many professions, so I know when I grow up, I would like to work in the medical field as a nurse or doctor working with kids. I would like to thank everybody at the C2L-PHL program for my experiences and all the help they gave me. 

Without my time in the program, I don’t know if I would have the tough skin I do now or if I would have the experience I do. Being exposed to colleges and financial literacy is something people my age don’t get to do.  

I take pride that I worked this summer and was able to not only earn money but understand the importance of saving.  

To close out I would like to say thank you for everything and I hope the program continues so other kids get to experience it.  

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