FLORENCE — More than 75 people, including community supporters, University of North Alabama officials, Florence city officials, and current and former UNA students recently celebrated the construction of Embrace Alabama Kids’ Higher Education Home at UNA.
Through its Higher Ed Home, Embrace Alabama Kids provides students who were in foster care or alternative living situations with stable, loving environments where they receive resources and assistance to grow into successful adults while pursuing a college education.
“This is a collective dream that we’re realizing today,” UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts said. “As Embrace Alabama Kids’ partner in this venture, UNA is well-positioned to deliver an extraordinary educational experience for the students who come to us through this Embrace Higher Ed Program.
“As the fastest-growing university in the State of Alabama over the last decade, we’re excited to welcome the students that we share with Embrace Alabama Kids as they become an even deeper part of our extended UNA family. We can’t wait to see them grow and thrive here.”
The goal of Embrace Alabama Kids’ Higher Ed Program is to cultivate academic, spiritual, and social development for students participating in the program. Embrace Alabama Kids operates its Higher Ed Home program across five Alabama college campuses: in the Shoals for women (UNA, Northwest Shoals Community College) and in Tuscaloosa for men (University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College, and Stillman College).
“Embrace’s Higher Ed program offered not only guidance for my academic journey but also emotional and physical stability for my home life,” said Meredith Contreras, UNA graduate and Higher Ed program participant. “Knowing that I had a network of mentors and peers who understood the challenges I faced made a world of difference.
“They provided resources, shared their experiences, and encouraged me to dream bigger, to strive harder, and to believe in my potential. Embrace Alabama has played a pivotal role in not only shaping my college experience, but also my outlook on life. It has given me the tools to navigate challenges, the encouragement to pursue my dreams, and the comfort of knowing that I am not alone on any journey. As I look to the future, I am filled with gratitude for the stability and support this program has provided me. I stand here today, not just as a first-generation college graduate, but as a proud representative of what determination, community, and support can achieve.”
Embrace Alabama Kids is a statewide nonprofit faith-based organization that serves vulnerable children and families in crisis across the state of Alabama.
“Since 1890, our organization has been caring for children and youth who have had special challenges in their growing up experiences due to circumstances beyond their control,” said Dr. K. Blake Horne, president and CEO of Embrace Alabama Kids. “Our Higher Ed Homes provide a place to live, to grow, and to thrive where students have the spiritual and social support they need to maximize their academic opportunity and succeed.
“This new facility at UNA will allow us to double the number of young people we serve through our Higher Ed Program here in Florence and provide a level of campus engagement for our students that they’ve not been able to enjoy in our current home.”
To learn more about Embrace’s Higher Ed Program and student eligibility requirements, visit embracealkids.org/higher-ed-homes.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our email newsletter to have all our smart stories delivered to your inbox.
