Community Partners Give Opportunities for GEAR UP Students

South Bend, IN — GEAR UP South Bend! was featured in an an interview with Sunny 101.5’s Jack and Traci Show. South Bend Schools Assistant Superintendent Chad Addie said, “We are opening up opportunities, access for these kids to reach for higher and better, wherever they happen to find themselves along the learning path.”

He shared that community partnerships have helped the program succeed, with opportunities including college visits, workforce exploration, and expanded dual credit for students. In fact, a partnership with the Indiana Parenting Institute of St. Joseph County led to a summer bridge program where 36 rising 9th graders received college credit even before entering high school.