For Immediate Release: April 21, 2010
Contact: Emily Jacobs 651-917-3525

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new book released today proposes that the answer to America’s problems lies not only with government, but also in the capable hands of individuals volunteering across the country. The American Way to Change: How National Service and Volunteers Are Transforming America profiles real people who have performed national service and reveals the often profound impact these local heroes have made through their efforts.

In The American Way to Change, Shirley Sagawa, who has been called the "founding mother of the modern service movement," highlights "Twenty-Five Organized for Impact and Scale." One of these organizations is Admission Possible, noted for its work helping low-income high school students gain admission to college. This year, the organization is working with nearly 6,200 low-income high school and college students across 23 high schools and 150 college campuses. Overall, 98 percent of Admission Possible students gain admission to college.

“I wrote this book to raise up the amazing work that service organizations like Admission Possible do every day,” Sagawa said.

City Year, Teach for America and Habitat for Humanity are also among the organizations profiled in the book. “We’re excited to be featured in Ms. Sagawa’s book in the company of some of the top service organizations in the nation,” said Admission Possible Founder and CEO Jim McCorkell.

With a positive track record of growth in Minnesota’s Twin Cities and a successful out-of-state expansion to Milwaukee, Wis., Admission Possible is working under a plan that calls for branches in as many as 10 cities by 2015. “As we expand nationally to serve more high school students, we hope to engage even more volunteers in our efforts to improve college access,” McCorkell said.

It is no coincidence that The American Way to Change will be released on April 21, the first anniversary of the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. This piece of legislation authorized the largest expansion of national service in America since President Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Also commemorating the legislation, this week celebrates volunteers across the country with National Volunteer Week. National Volunteer Week is a special week set aside to thank to thank volunteers and to encourage more people to get involved in service.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shirley Sagawa is the co-founder of the sagawa/jospin consulting firm and a national expert on children's policy and philanthropy. She was named a "Woman to Watch in the 21st Century" by Newsweek magazine and one of the "Most Influential Working Mothers in America" by Working Mother magazine. She is currently a fellow with the Center for American Progress.

ABOUT ADMISSION POSSIBLE
Admission Possible is a nonprofit organization founded in Minnesota in 2000 and dedicated to helping promising low-income high school students prepare for and earn admission to college by providing ACT/SAT test preparation, admissions and financial aid consulting and guidance in the transition to college. The program operates in two metro areas – the Greater Twin Cities and Greater Milwaukee. In 2009-10, 1,540 low-income high school students are participating in Admission Possible in 23 high schools across the two metro areas. Admission Possible’s college program currently supports 2,200 Admission Possible high school program graduates as they transition to college and pursue a degree. Since 2000, 98 percent of Admission Possible students have been admitted to college. For more information, go to www.AdmissionPossible.org.

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