Upward Bound closure

As sent to our representatives - Hope others do the same!


Closure of a local Upward Bound Program that serves veterans is a shame. The Upward Bound Program at Humboldt State University will permanently close it doors at the end of November, 2007, because of the “lack of funding” (http://www.times-standard.com/local/ci_7413944).

It is hard to understand how a program that has been serving veterans over 33 years to continue their education is not funded. Especially with the number of new veterans that will be returning home from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Take into fact that many of these returning individuals left school, jobs and their families to defend our Nation against a war on terrorism as claimed by our current President and those in Congress who supported this cause.

Now, those in Congress need to address how to best assist the many returning home in re-adjusting their lives to return to school, work and their families with more funding for support programs. Veteran’s support programs seem to be always the first to be cut in our National Budget System. How does this demonstrate our country’s appreciation for what our young men and women did to protect our way of life here at home?

Providing more immediate funding for Veteran Upward Bound Programs is needed!

Veterans upward bound provides a comprehensive program of support services to improve both academic and motivational skills. Services are available for college preparation and GED completion . Specific services include developmental courses to improve basic skills, tutoring, career counseling and advisement, college orientation, assistance with admissions, financial aid and referrals to other agencies. Veterans must meet program eligibility requirements.

Our veterans will be coming home with a possibility of many different life adjustment issues and being able to provide them with an education and training should not be one left out.

I ask you, as our representative to address the concern shown here locally, as well as Nationally with an immediate increase in funding.