Golf outing to help kids go to college

Circle Urban Ministries' "Circle of Hope Fore Kids" golf classic next month aims to enable more at-risk high school students in Chicago's Austin neighborhood to go to college.

With only 6 percent of the Austin public high school students college-ready in math and only 3 percent in science, the ministries' College Readiness program academically prepares kids to graduate from high school and be college and/or workforce ready.

The annual golf outing is crucial fundraising for all of Circle Urban's youth development programs that include College Readiness, Circle 4 Success and One-to-One Mentoring. Last year's golf outing raised more than $100,000 and Circle Urban hopes to raise even more this year.

The "Circle of Hope Fore Kids" outing runs 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Hinsdale Golf Club, 140 Chicago Ave., Clarendon Hills.

Circle Urban Ministries seeks to equip young people in the Austin neighborhood with the tools they need to become responsible young adults. As a ministry, Circle Urban seeks to overcome "hope blockers" - the challenges and factors that can prevent a young person from having hope for a brighter future.

By recognizing that every young person has the potential to lead in some manner, the programs at Circle Urban Ministries help to prepare young people to successfully navigate society, regardless of their life situations.

Through programs such as College Readiness and One-to-One Mentoring, children, teens and young adults develop their abilities, boost their confidence and self-sufficiency, develop healthy relationships and learn needed, practical life skills, all of which increase their sense of hope and chances for future success.

For information, visit circleurban.org.