The Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program (UCAP) is a charter school in Providence committed to keeping at-risk middle school students on the right education path by giving them the opportunity to complete two years in one. Each child accepted to the school has stayed back at least once.
The founder and principal is a man who has faced his own extraordinary personal challenges, Robert Deblois, left quadriplegic after a swimming accident in college. He and the school's dedicated staff shine in a documentary, Accelerating America, which follows the compelling stories of three students (America, Yazmine, and Jason) for a year. WSBE Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1) aired the award-winning documentary by Tim Hochtner, which is how I became aware of UCAP's great but very difficult - almost impossible - work. As a Rhode Islander, it was surreal to watch; I had to keep reminding myself that this was happening in my state, my community, not some neighborhood in the Bronx. Here's a link to an online version of Accelerating America (sorry, it's a very poor resolution video).
In addition to all of the hard work and a very special kind of patience and commitment it takes to help these kids focus and succeed, it also takes money. UCAP hosts different fund raisers throughout the year.
My recommendation, my request: Watch the film. Then browse the Spring Fling Auction to benefit UCAP. Or make a direct donation.
