NCAN Options Award 2018

Options Center Nationally Recognized for Making Higher Education Accessible Contact:Trish Anderton, Director of Public RelationsGoddard Riverside [email protected] / 212-873-6600 x1023 / 929-249-1449 PITTSBURGH, PA (September 26, 2018) – Goddard Riverside’s Options Center has been recognized nationally for its quality. Options was honored as the 2018 College Access Organization of Excellence at the National College Access Network annual conference. “I’m thrilled to accept this award on behalf of our team,” said Options Center Director Judith Lorimer. “Everyone at Options puts their heart and soul into helping young people complete their education and eliminating barriers to education for all.” Options was established in 1985 to support aspiring scholars in completing higher education, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender or socioeconomic status. The center works with nearly 1,000 high school and college students per year, many of them first-generation and low-income. Options helps young people apply to schools, secure financial aid and choose the right program for their needs. It then assists those students with any difficulties they encounter while finishing their education, from personal issues to academic support to finding jobs and internships. Goddard Riverside launched the Options Institute in 2005 to teach the Options model. It has since trained more than 6,600 professionals from more than 1,000 organizations and schools, including the New York City Department of Education, CUNY and Chicago Public Schools. Since 2016 Options has partnered with Young Invincibles to lead #DegreesNYC, a citywide effort to close the college graduation gap for students of all backgrounds. “We count this as an affirmation that Options is a national leader in college access and sets a high standard for itself and others. We are all proud of what Options accomplishes every day,” said Dr. Roderick L. Jones, Executive Director of Goddard Riverside. The National College Access Network has hundreds of organizational members in nearly every U.S. state. Its mission is to build, strengthen, and empower communities committed to college access and success. In its announcement of the award, NCAN highlighted Options’ “many impactful partnerships” and the “effectiveness of its approach.” ###For more than 100 years, Goddard Riverside has been committed to investing in people and strengthening community by meeting New Yorkers’ most essential needs. Through 27 programs across 22 sites, Goddard Riverside provides comprehensive educational, cultural and recreational programs for New Yorker of all ages. The organization also helps transition formerly homeless men and women into permanent housing and offers advocacy and legal services to address critical and social economic issues.