MVCAP Partners with Public Library to Increase Students’ Access to Post-Secondary Resources, Services

The Mahoning Valley College Access Program is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. For the first time, the non-profit organization will expand its service area of local school districts to offer comprehensive services at the library’s Austintown and Boardman branches.

MVCAP provides service through the presence of college guides and advisors who receive support from AmeriCorps and CollegeNow as part of Serve Ohio.

With college guides now providing services at the library, MVCAP is able to expand its presence in Mahoning County beyond the high schools it currently serves, which include Warren G. Harding, Youngtown East and Chaney High Schools, the Youngstown Rayen Early College, Campbell Memorial High School and the district’s Impact Academy, and the Choffin Career and Technical Center.

The program will serve students four days per month; two days at Austintown and two at Boardman, which includes two Saturdays.

MVCAP college guides offer individual sessions for students, parents or families to provide resources and guidance on post-secondary education, career/technical training, workforce opportunities and military service. More specifically, they assist with the application processes for scholarships and financial aid for college or vocational training, as well as offer counsel and resources for students conducting research to determine next steps after high school.

Students and/or parents may schedule in-person or virtual appointments with a college guide by emailing director@themvcap.org.in. Appointments are not required, however, they are encouraged. Below are the upcoming dates and times the guides will be at each library location.

Austintown Library:

Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-noon

Nov. 2 from 2-5 p.m.

Nov. 14 from 9 a.m.-noon

Dec. 7 from 2-5 p.m.

Dec. 19 from 9 a.m.-noon

Boardman Library:

Nov. 7 from 9 a.m.-noon

Nov. 17 from 2-5 p.m.

Dec. 1 from 2-5 p.m.

Dec. 12 from 9 a.m.-noon

“We’re excited to be able to partner with our local library to extend our reach in Mahoning County,” said Gerri Jenkins, MVCAP executive director. “With this additional access to college guides, we hope to be a helpful resource to many local students and families, providing educational opportunities that will have an impact on our future workforce.”

MVCAP has been in existence since 2001, formed to provide easier college access to students from first-generation and socio-economically disadvantaged families. Direct service to the Youngstown and Warren schools began in 2002. Since its inception, MVCAP has served nearly 10,000 students and families.