UWAC Initiative
Persistence Pays Off
Persistence Pays Off is an initiative of United Way of Allen County with the goal of getting more students to complete their college degree or certificate by helping eliminate some of the barrier’s students are facing.
The Goal of Persistence Pays Off
This initiative works to break down the barriers that students face by connecting them with local services that help them persist and earn their college degree or certificate.
This is done through a partnership with the TRIO offices at Ivy Tech Community College and Purdue University Fort Wayne along with Lutheran Social Services. Together, they work to provide students with easy access to services that help them persist and earn their college degree or certificate.
“PPO has been an amazing program that has helped me stay focused throughout the school year. It's not just academic goals that bog students down.”
Ashley Yu, Nursing Student
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
It is widely acknowledged that education is the best way to break the cycle of poverty. Yet, living in poverty makes being in college tough.
Nationally, 58% of college students are experiencing some form of basic needs insecurity, with hunger and lack of stable housing being the top needs.
Persistence Pays Off Current & Cumulative Data
The goal of PPO is to get more students to complete their college degree or certificate by helping eliminate some of the barriers students are facing.
Download PDF Results98%
of students Persisted
73
students served
97%
of students are first-generation college students
69%
of students are employed
336
financial literacy lessons taught
765
visits by case managers
259
community referrals provided
97%
of students referred followed through on services
23
students received counseling services
158
counseling sessions provided
$33k+
in emergency financial assistance
$22k+
in mental health assistance
Persistence Pays Off Stories
We are bringing momentum and positive change to Allen County
Empower a Persistence Pays Off Student as a Volunteer Mentor
Mentors will spend time engaging with students on their career goals and provide advice on how to navigate the complexities of college and career.
Mentors will partner with students who are overcoming a variety of barriers to pursuing their collegiate education and career goals, such as low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and people with disabilities. Lived experience and/or qualities such as empathy, insightfulness, and positivity are highly sought after.
Please contact Ta Gay Htoo at thtoo@uwacin.org or 260-469-4016 for more information.
Educational Partners
