Dre Kirkpatrick’s 21 Kids Foundation to Announce Partnership with Educational Opportunity Center

Taniesa L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News

GADSDEN — The Dre Kirkpatrick's 21 Kids Foundation announced a new partnership with the Educational Opportunity Center at Gadsden State Community College. The announcement took place on the field of Titan Stadium prior to the kick-off of the Gadsden City High vs. Cullman High playoff game on Friday.

Through the partnership, the 21 Kids Foundation will provide financial assistance with childcare and transportation expenses for students attending the EOC.

“We are thrilled about the partnership with 21 Kids Foundation,” said Dr. Cheryl Sington, director of the EOC. “The support will help ease the burdens our students face when it comes to providing childcare while they are receiving benefits and services at the EOC. Transportation will cease being a barrier for our students who want to improve their lives through education. Childcare and transportation will no longer be issues for them.”

In 2013, Gadsden native and football stand-out Dre Kirkpatrick established the 21 Kids Foundation to impact the lives of disadvantaged youth. Now the mission of the foundation has evolved to include families raising children in impoverished and disadvantaged homes.

“We have consistently serviced disadvantaged youth in Etowah County for almost a decade, but we have since shifted our focus to assisting the parents and guardians who are responsible for the safety, the education, the encouragement, and the upbringing of these children,” Kirkpatrick said. “We are focusing on the adult population so that our children are raised in healthy, loving, productive households.”

The EOC is a federal TRIO program that provides opportunities for academic development, including academic tutoring; guidance on secondary school re-entry and entry to a general education development program; career workshops; and financial literacy seminars. It also aids in course selection, preparation for college entrance exams, completion of college admissions applications, and applying for financial aid. It is funded with a $232,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information about the EOC, visit gadsdenstate.edu/trio. More information on the Dre Kirkpatrick's 21 Kids Foundation can be found at drekirk21kids.com.