Success Stories 

Since our founding in November 2003, Beyond Talent has assisted 11 GED and/or EDP graduates to complete one or more semesters of college. Three Beyond Talent peer mentors were recruited to become AmeriCorps volunteers, working full-time in exchange for a living stipend and educational award. With Beyond Talent’s help, another participant was accepted to a union apprenticeship program with paid training and guaranteed job placement in a field with starting salaries averaging $45,000. These non-traditional graduates each volunteered at least five hours a week in their GED programs; as a result, Beyond Talent has empowered more than 100 adult learners in the District of Columbia to work toward their educational goals.  

Luther 

After his release from a juvenile detention center at the age of 18, Luther spent a year in the evening GED program at Catholic Charities in Washington, DC. Determined to turn his life around, Luther worked various odd jobs during the day but struggled to find permanent employment, even after passing the GED exam in November 2006. Staff in the GED program recognized his talent and encouraged him to go to college – but they couldn’t provide him with the intensive support he needed to transition successfully. (About 40 percent of college freshmen drop out within the first two semesters.) In a city with a high school dropout rate of 50 percent, Luther -- the first in his family to earn a high school credential -- now faced a common dilemma: Ready to leave his GED program, he was not yet ready for college. In spite of his ability, Luther would be lucky to get a minimum-wage job. Students like Luther just had nowhere else to go.

Until now. Luther’s teacher referred him to Beyond Talent, the first organization in the District to focus on students transitioning from GED programs to college. In January 2007, Luther participated in the pilot of the Beyond Talent College Readiness Program. As a result of his participation, Luther got a part-time job as a tutor in an after-school program (one of his professors recommended him) and enrolled at Southeastern University, scoring 100 percent on both the math and writing sections of the university’s placement exam, bypassing remedial course. He is currently enrolled as a freshman.

Marcellus 

After studying for the GED at Academy of Hope and passing the exam, Marcellus became one of Beyond Talent’s first peer mentors shortly after we incorporated in 2003. Marcellus worked with one of our volunteers, Jenny, to make a plan for his next steps. Beyond Talent helped Marcellus apply for college, and also provided a scholarship for him to complete an addiction counseling certificate program so he could get a part-time job to support himself while going to school. While completing his first two years at Southeastern University, Marcellus tutored his peers at Academy of Hope in exchange for Beyond Talent’s ongoing support. Three of his students completed the External Diploma Program, earning high school diplomas with help from Marcellus. Meanwhile, Marcellus worked as an addictions counselor and maintained a 3.5 GPA.

Marcellus has been involved with Beyond Talent, first as a peer mentor and now as a volunteer, for four years. He was one of the first GED graduates that Beyond Talent helped transition into college. He began his freshman year of college shortly after Beyond Talent was officially founded in 2003. Soon he’ll graduate and move to the next phase of his life, education, career, and community service. Whatever he does, Marcellus says he will remain involved with Beyond Talent.

Yvette

After a year as a Beyond Talent Peer Mentor at Living Wages, she was recruited by Living Wages to become a full-time staff member through AmeriCorps, earning a living stipend and education award. 

Darrell 

Darriel studied for the GED at Living Wages and became a Beyond Talent Peer Mentor there after passing the exam. Working with Beyond Talent, Darrell researched union apprenticeship programs and went to a union job fair. Beyond Talent paid the fee for him to take the union’s math test. His test scores were so high that he was immediately called in for an interview and was accepted to the apprenticeship,. He is now in the third year of the  apprenticeship, which is a five-year, paid training program. When Darrell completes his training, he will be guaranteed job placement in a field with starting salaries of $45,000 a year. 

Other participants have: 

Completed additional semesters of college 

Enrolled at the University of the District of Columbia, Southeastern University, Prince George's County Community College, Montgomery County Community College, Trinity (Washington) University, and Bowie State University

Been hired for jobs in education as a direct result of their volunteer service through Beyond Talent

Secured permanent housing, transitioning from shelters

Received scholarships

And many more!

Beyond Talent's program participants accomplised all of these things while giving back to their communities through volunteering and helping their peers prepare for the GED or External Diploma Program.