What is College Bound Dorchester?
College Bound Dorchester is a Boston nonprofit poised to be a national model for using education to end systemic generational urban poverty and violence through its Uncornered solution.

What is Boston Uncornered?
Boston Uncornered is the nation’s only corner to college solution to end generational urban poverty. The organization offers former or current gang members the opportunity to earn a high school equivalency and then get into and through college, where they become champions of positive change.

What is the Uncornered Project?
The Uncornered Project is an ongoing photography project that brings together personal stories from former gang members who have been a part of Boston Uncornered, as well as business leaders, athletes, politicians, and more. These Uncornered stories, told in the subjects’ own words, are powerful narratives about what it takes to Uncorner yourself, both literally and figuratively. Photographed by John Huet, the project is a collaboration between Boston Uncornered and PJA Advertising + Marketing.

Why does Boston Uncornered work with gang members?
Gang members are just one percent of Boston’s youth, but this very small group has an outsized influence in urban cores. They commit 50 percent of the homicides and control the five percent of city corners on which 70 percent of a Boston’s violent crimes take place. This small group recruits family and neighbors into the lifestyle, makes living in their communities dangerous and challenging, and costs government and taxpayers billions of dollars.

Boston Uncornered targets those least likely to succeed and supports these influential youth as they go through school and until they exhibit positive behaviors that can begin to change social norms. Instead of being the instigators of violence they once were, these “core influencers,” who are a city’s biggest disrupters with the most influence, become positive role models for their peers, showing others a better way.

Who mentors these gang members and helps them Uncorner themselves?
Boston Uncornered College Readiness Advisors (CRAs) have been there and lived that. They come from the same corners and have the shared experience of living the lives of those they serve. They bring to the relationship a credibility that cannot be faked. Core Influencers are connected with mentors who understand and believe in them.

Why send gang members to college?
High expectations deliver better outcomes. Until Boston Uncornered, no one expected Core Influencers to go to college and so they did not expect it of themselves. The act of setting high expectations of this population helps them to believe in themselves and achieve far more than they ever thought possible, for themselves and for generations to come.

Statistics support Boston Uncornered’s formula – 70 percent of Uncornered students matriculate to college, as opposed to less than one percent of gang involved nationally.

Does Boston Uncornered give a stipend to former gang members?
Yes. Boston Uncornered students receive a stipend of $400 each week / $20,000 each year. This financial support enables them to focus on school. It takes some of the financial pressure off, while also giving them some skin in the game, something to lose. They have incentive to stay in and finish school. We view the stipend as an investment. In fact, Uncornered is poised to save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts $70,000 each year per individual.

How can I donate?
You can donate to Boston Uncornered here.

Media Contacts:
Deborah Halperin Colbert | 617-269-7171 (o) 617-512-5107 (m) | deb@teakmedia.com