SANFORD - Greater educational opportunities for young people and the generosity of those who are making them possible were celebrated at the Feb. 19 Central Carolina Works reception.

"Central Carolina Works is a tremendous public-private partnership," said Julian Philpott, chair of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees. "Everyone here is to be congratulated on making this work. This will make a major change in the dynamics of education."

Central Carolina Works is a public-private initiative that will fund the placement of Academic and Career Advisors in each of the public high schools in Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties starting in the fall. These advisors will work one-on-one with students to help more of them take advantage of the state-funded Career and College Promise program.

The CCP enables high school students to enroll, tuition-free, in college credit courses that also apply toward their high school diploma. By the time they graduate from high school, the students have a jump-start on their career or college education. Currently, only 5 percent of public high school students in the three-county area enroll in college courses.

"This is a tremendous program," said Lee County Schools Superintendent Andy Bryan. "We are very fortunate to be part of this partnership. It will benefit our students and our communities. It's a win-win for everybody."

More than $670,000 of the needed $750,000 for the initiative have already been raised. The funds will pay for the first two years of the advisor program. After that, Central Carolina Community College will pick up the cost through an increase in state funding based on the number of students enrolled.

At the reception, Kirk Bradley, chairman, president and CEO at Lee-Moore Capital Company, was honored for spearheading the intensive fund-raising to launch the initiative. Philpott, on behalf of the Central Carolina Works partnership, presented him with a plaque inscribed: "In Grateful Appreciation For Your Dedicated Support Of The Central Carolina Works Initiative."

"Kirk Bradley has put forth a tremendous effort in helping to raise the funding to launch this critical initiative," said Dr. Bud Marchant, president of Central Carolina Community College. "I have been so impressed by his dedication, enthusiasm and hard work, as well as by his ability to explain the vision of the initiative and get people and organizations excited about being part of it. He has been instrumental in opening the opportunities for our young people to pursue their educational and vocational goals, creating a better future for them and bettering the communities they live in. We owe him a deep debt of gratitude."

When Bradley arrived at the reception at Cafe 121, in downtown Sanford, he was greeted with applause from those in attendance. He was surprised by the recognition because he thought he was just coming as one of the contributors to the initiative.

"It has been a true joy, really fun, to go out and speak about this exciting initiative," he told the gathering. "By putting advisors in the schools, we will be helping our students to get a head-start on their further education or vocations. It's a wonderful thing. Thank you so much for being part of it."

President Scott Ralls of the North Carolina Community College System, was unable to attend the event, but sent a comment:

"I recently told a forum of N.C. legislators that Central Carolina Works is my favorite current workforce initiative in the state," he said. "I am such a fan of this program because it emphasizes, in my opinion, the two most powerful ingredients in successful education and workforce development programs - pathways and partnerships. I applaud the community leadership that made this innovative program a reality. They have created a model for which others in North Carolina can aspire."

Special guests at the reception included Congresswoman Renee Ellmers; Will Collins, special assistant for Workforce Development at the N.C. Department of Commerce; and Dan Gerlach, president of the Golden LEAF Foundation, which has supported the initiative with a $100,000 grant.

"We are proud to have made this grant," Gerlach said. "What you are doing is unprecedented. This grant will help enhance the talent, knowledge and skill of our youth."

Organizations and companies who have donated to the Central Carolina Works initiative are: BB&T, Boon Edam Inc., Carolina Meadows, Caterpillar, Central Carolina Hospital, Chatham County, Chatham County Farm Bureau, Community Properties Inc., Coty Inc., First Bank, Golden LEAF Foundation, Harnett County, Harnett County Farm Bureau, Lee County, Lee-Moore Capital Company, Montgomery Development Carolina Corp., Newland Communities, Preston Development Company, Sanford Contractors Inc., and, Duke Energy Foundation.

Individuals who have donated to the Central Carolina Works initiative are: Patrick Barnes, Wade Barber, John and Susie Dixon, Chris Ehrenfeld, Douglas Frey, Sam Gaskins, Joy Gilmour, Joe Glasson, Peggy Golden, Welford and Pat Harris, Charles and Jan Hayes, Dr. Jeff Hockaday, Barber Holmes, Chet Mann, Dr. Budd Marchant, George Perkins, Julian Philpott, Brad Salmon, Brad Simpson, Steve Stroud, Lynda Turbeville, and Sam Wornom.

For more information about Central Carolina Works, visit www.cccc.edu/ccworks.

Contributions to the Central Carolina Works initiative can be made to the CCCC Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with, but independent of, Central Carolina Community College. It receives donations of money and equipment on behalf of CCCC and uses them to promote the educational mission of the college and assist students through scholarships and grants.

For information on giving to the Foundation, contact Emily Hare, director of the CCCC Foundation and Development Office, 919-718-7230 or ehare@cccc.edu.