According to U.S. Census data, more than half of the children in Greenwood, Miss. are under the poverty line. To assist in breaking the cycle of poverty, Tutoring America, a nonprofit organization working to close the education gap between low- and high-income students, has announced it will provide a technology grant to Delta Streets Academy (Delta Streets) to help enhance student academic resources and skills to prepare pupils for college.

Established in 2012, Delta Streets provides students with a safe, structured learning environment with high-quality educators dedicated to building men of character in the Greenwood region. The academy enrolls young men in seventh through 12th grade, and graduated its first class of students in May 2017, all of whom are enrolled at four-year or community colleges.

“Unfortunately, poverty is the norm in the Mississippi Delta region, and Greenwood area public schools are routinely among the lowest ranked school systems in the U.S. Without proper education and resources, the cycle has continued to repeat itself for generations,” says T. Mac Howard, head of school at Delta Streets. “We want to break this cycle for our community and teach these young men to be future leaders in the Mississippi Delta.”

Delta Streets Academy will receive nearly $29,000 in technology equipment, including computers, software and servers to continue the growth of the academy, its afterschool program and its GED program. Closing the education gap is essential in addressing poverty and the quality of life for underprivileged students.

“Delta Streets’ core mission of breaking the cycle of poverty closely aligns with Tutoring America’s mission to close the education gap in the U.S.,” says Jay D. Hatfield, chairman and founder of Tutoring America. “Access to technology can improve overall academic performance, increase high school graduation rates and support college preparation.”

About Tutoring America

Since 2017, Tutoring America has been working to help close the education gap that prevents low-income youth from achieving their full potential as students. For more, visit TutoringAmerica.org.