“The college tour was a great experience for students. From colleges to museums, I’m sure this is something they won’t soon forget.”
Courtesy Photos: NORA
Written By: Anthony Simmons
The Northern Ohio Recovery Association, Inc. (NORA) recently provided an opportunity for students to embark on an out-of-state college tour and explore opportunities available outside of their neighborhoods. After a partnership with the Students of Promise Program, NORA was able to raise funds toward an HBCU tour in Georgia and Alabama for Shaw High School students this year. The Students of Promise Program is designed to increase the graduation rate and expose students to a myriad of opportunities including networking with their peers and adults in professional settings. The program is being carried out in several other schools including Warrensville Heights, Cleveland Heights and Bedford High Schools. The Students of Promise Program has served the community and students since 2007. This gave NORA an excellent opportunity for our students to join them for the college tour.
Colleges and universities visited on the tour included Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College and Alabama State University. The historical landmarks that students visited included the World of Coca Cola, Georgia Aquarium, the childhood home of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), Ebenezer Church, MLK Memorial Center, the Legacy Museum, Selma Bridge, the CNN Center and State Farm Arena. Students were also given the unique opportunity to be a part of a podcast created by Students of Promise. Professional videographers and photographers accompanied students on the tour to help create videos and podcasts which will be featured in a documentary also created by Students of Promise. The students are excited because they will soon see themselves on the big screen and witness the vision from a third-person point of view. Students and staff enjoyed the visit and the unique experiences that were very eye opening and exciting.
Established in 2004, NORA’s mission is “to empower individuals, families and communities to support lifestyles of recovery.” NORA offers several services such as intensive outpatient program (IOP), sober housing, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), as well as having a Prevention Department.
The Prevention Department uses evidence-based programs (EBP) to help students develop the skills and knowledge to make healthy lifestyle decisions such as practicing safe sex and choosing to stay away from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD). NORA delivers these EBP’S at several schools.
For more information about NORA, visit norainc.org. If you want to view past college tour footage and for more information on the Students of Promise Program, please visit studentsofpromiseusa.org.
NORA wants to thank all the following for their donations: AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, East Cleveland Bridges of HOPE, Students of Promise, USA and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency. Prevention.