What Happens When a Student Can’t Afford to Stay in College?

 "Athena's Warehouse was an unforgettable and welcoming learning experience for me. It introduced so many new topics, real-world lessons, and relationships I wouldn't have known or formed on my own. It's an experience I look back on frequently because a lot of those lessons come up again in my everyday life, and I'm grateful to have had Athena's Warehouse give me the tools to not only be ahead but to feel more prepared in college and in life. You should support AW because a lot of adolescent girls are left in the dark when it comes to their future, whether it's what to do after college or how to take care of their own bodies. Some girls don't have family members willing to have important conversations about safe sex or physical abuse, exposing them to those very dangers. Having AW in places like Cross Keys, where dropout rates are higher, can provide women and nonbinary students with a plan and a mentor to leave high school with. Just this on its own can greatly lead to a student's success."

"Since my sophomore year, I’ve stayed after school at Athena’s Warehouse to participate in workshops that I believe will help me in the future. Through them, I’ve learned responsibility, volunteering, gaining experience, and making new friends. Self-care was another challenge. I had never used lip gloss or tried other things that could make me feel more confident. But I decided to try, and that included learning to care for myself, including what I eat.

Most importantly, I found courage. When I first heard about Athena’s Warehouse, I thought it would be boring. But once I joined, I realized it wasn’t bad at all. Ms. DeCosta encouraged me to participate because it was a space for girls, and in that space, I felt safe enough to express myself without fear or shame."