LEWISTON — The Lewiston Housing Authority’s Hillview housing development recently partnered with Head Start and Andover College to hold the Future College Graduate Celebration to enable children and their parents to begin thinking about their future from a young age.

The Future College Graduate Coalition formed and planned the event in the hopes of helping the College for ME campaign successfully fulfill its goal of raising the number of college graduates in Androscoggin County. The coalition received financial support from the CMMC School of Nursing, Central Maine Community College, USM Lewiston-Auburn College, Andover College and College for ME.

The event was held at the Hillview Resource Center in the housing development, 77 Rideout Ave. All the youth who live in the 94 units along with families whose children attend the Hillview Head Start were invited to attend the event and receive a free T-shirt. Approximately 200 children were given the T-shirts that said “Future College Graduate.”

Guests included Mayor Larry Gilbert, representatives from the local colleges and adult education, the children’s librarian from Lewiston Public Library and local professionals, including a police officer and firefighters in tow with an entire fire truck. Children also received education-related prizes such as books, backpacks and pencil packs.

“I thought it was really nice to have all these people come in from different places talking about education and the different types of education you can get,” said Naima Odowa, a ninth grader at Lewiston High School who attended the event. “I felt they were willing to help us get a head start on our education.”

The Future College Graduate Coalition hopes the event will inspire children and their parents to plan ahead and make positive and informed choices for their futures.

For more information, contact Cassie DeFillipo, Aspirations coordinator, Lewiston Housing Authority, at 783-8539 or e-mail [email protected].