Take Flight College Send-Off Salutes 100 Youth
CHA “Take Flight” College Send-Off & Trunk Party Salutes 100 Youth Attending Schools Outside of Chicago
King College Prep Honor Student & CHA Scholarship Winner Darius Davis proud to attend Illinois State
| WHAT: | CHA “Take Flight” College Send-Off honors college-bound teens attending schools outside of Chicago, including Amherst, Wisconsin and Morehouse. |
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| WHERE: | CHA Offices, 60 E. Van Buren, 3rd floor |
| WHEN: | 11:30 a.m.; program at 12 noon Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 |
| DETAILS: | CHA CEO Michael R. Merchant; Steve Wachtel, Northern Zone Officer, CNA Insurance Co.; and CHA college students to address high school grads |
CHICAGO – King Prep High School Honor Student Darius Davis has grown up with Chicago Housing Authority programs.
Davis started in the “Learn and Earn” program at age 13. He participated in a shopping spree sponsored by Chicago Bears NFL Player Lance Briggs. He is a 2014/2015 CHA Scholarship Award Winner; and, through CHA’s “Counselor-In-Training” program with the Chicago Park District, he has worked as a Recreation Leader the last three summers.
Now, days away from heading off to Illinois State, Davis will be one of 100 public housing & HCV students taking part in CHA’s “Take Flight” College Send-Off at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014 at CHA Offices, 60 E. Ban Buren.
The class is the largest since CHA began with the event four years ago. It is the culmination of Davis’ participation in CHA youth programming.
Seventy percent of the attendees are receiving CHA scholarships.
“CHA programs have allowed me to obtain internships, job opportunities, and meet people with strong connections to future careers that I might be interested in,” said Davis, who earned a 3.9 GPA at King College Prep. He will major in Graphic Design or Game Design.
Other Take Flight honorees will attend some of the best schools in the nation: Amherst College, University of Wisconsin Madison, and Morehouse.
CHA CEO Michael R. Merchant is a Morehouse alum.
“Because of CHA’s new scholarship program, and due to increased participation and interest, this is the biggest class ever,” Merchant said. “We have more than 100 youth partaking in one of our signature programs and this speaks to just how meaningful our Take Flight event has become. Our youth are the future and CHA remains committed to helping build strong, vibrant communities throughout the great City of Chicago.”
Davis says he is excited to strike out on his own and get his life started.
In five years, he sees himself achieving his dreams.
“My immediate goal is to graduate from college and start my career with a major design company,” he said.