College Access Center Receives $25,000 Grant from TD Charitable Foundation for Senior Academy

Julani Ghana (left), director of the College Access Center of Delaware County, discusses the center’s Senior Academy with TD Bank representatives Thomas A. Shoemaker and Rachel M. Wilner.

Chester, Pa.—The College Access Center of Delaware County has received a $25,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s most convenient bank^®, to help fund the center’s Senior Academy.

The Senior Academy is a program for high school seniors who are enrolled in any of the center’s pre-college, career or academic support programs. Through the program, high school seniors are provided specialized and individual assistance with their college process including one-on-one college or career exploration, college application submissions, essay development, career interest development, financial aid and scholarship exploration, resume creation and interview preparation. The Senior Academy currently serves more than 20 students.

In December 2013, TD Charitable Foundation contributed $52,500 to fund the center’s signature Road Map to College Program, bringing total contributions to the center to $77,500.

“The TD Charitable Foundation and TD Bank have been very generous supporters of the College Access Center and the programming we provide,” said Julani Ghana, director of the College Access Center. “Their generosity goes far beyond helping support our programs; it helps to make the dreams of a college education a reality for many of our students.” 

Thomas A. Shoemaker, market president for the Pennsylvania market for TD Bank; and Rachel M. Wilner, senior vice president and regional vice president for commercial lending, presented the check during a ceremony at the center.

“The communities we serve are the same communities that our employees and customers live in, so it’s important to keep them vibrant,” Shoemaker said. “The College Access Center of Delaware County is doing very impressive work in the community and we are extremely proud to support them.”

The College Access Center of Delaware County provides free college preparation services to high school students and adults. Services range from college and career awareness, study skills development, tutoring, mentoring and assisting high school seniors and their parents with the college financial aid process.

The center was founded by the Chester Higher Education Council, a nonprofit organization formed by the presidents of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Delaware County Community College, Neumann College, Penn State Brandywine, Swarthmore College and Widener University to address the educational needs of residents in Chester.

A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^® and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.