Dorothy Allensworth, c. 1991

College Careers was founded iin 1967 as a dream come true by Dorothy Allensworth and a group of like-minded friends. From 1965-1967, she directed the Mamaroneck Youth Corps, for which she developed work training programs, educational opportunity exploration, and health and counseling services. This work led to the establishment of College Careers as an organization to help under-priveleged youth pursue a higher education objective.

In September 1968, College Careers was launched with its first class of 22 students. Blanche Walker, present director, was in this class. Over the years, College Careers has sought out college capable youths who lacked the family support and financial means to pursue their goal. College Career counselors have helped them finish high school (or get this GED), select and apply to a postsecondary institution, to obtain financial aid and gain admission.

The counselors were available for advice, gave the students money for books and incidentals. They helped students stay successfully in school by avoiding drugs, alcohol, and teen pregnancy. They taught them social and lifestyle as well as academic skills. Some 70-80% of the students completed their degrees; about 250 students successfully complete the academic year each year. Some 2700 students have graduated from college thanks to College Careers.

College Careers has been active throughout Westchester County, NY. Its programs include STEP FORWARD, which teaches life skills and GED preparation, the Youthfel Offender Program, which counsels young people currently serving time at a county penitentiary, SOLUTIONS, a program to help youth conquer substance abuse, and the PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM, to help people to get into the college of their choice.

Pictures:
top right: STEP FORWARD workshop, c. 1974.
middle: SPEAK OUT, Dec. 2005
bottom: Freshman Orientation Panel, 2008.

Dorothy Allensworth with current staff: Top row, Stanley Ferrell, Blanche Walker, Bottom row: Margie Bristow and Dorothy Allensworth. Missing from picture: Larry Albert.

Dorothy Allensworth remained with College Careers, as inspiration and director, until 1991 when she retired from active participation. her influence and work has been carried on by her successor, Blanche Walker and the College Careers staff.

Over the years, many Westchester county personalities have been associated with College Careers. Among them are James Johnson, Max Berking, Fred Zwick, Seth Glickenhaus, Richard Lederer, Jane and Don Cecil, Llyod Reed, Dorothy Orr, Diane Oucheterloney and Ina Southmayd. Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale and the Twelve Volunteers were active community organizations.