About

Project Lifeline prides itself on its flexibility and responsiveness to its students’ goals and needs.  While the majority of young people who apply to PL have their sights set on college, Project Lifeline also provides support for professional, technical and vocational training. In the words of Project Lifeline Co-Founder Steve Eiseman,

“We want to give each one of our kids a unique program experience, tailored to each participant’s needs and interests. We fully realize that a traditional college experience is not for everyone, and we encourage students to consider the marketable skills offered by professional trade programs.  PL has gone so far as to offer funding incentives to participants who decide to pursue an apprenticeship or certification in such areas as the construction trades, auto mechanics, cosmetology, culinary arts and others.”

Individualized Support

Initially envisioned as a four year program, Project Lifeline has found that many of its participants pursue their education in fits and starts.  Although a number of Lifeliners do manage to complete their academic programs over four years of steady progress, some find that personal and family demands make it nearly impossible to do so. For these students, Project Lifeline will often offer additional years of program eligibility to maximize their chances of completing their degrees.  If students need to leave the program entirely, PL leaves the door open for reapplication at a later date, when circumstances are more favorable for them to succeed.  Our goal is for all of our students, regardless of the credits they earn or the progress they make, to gain as much benefit as possible from Project Lifeline and the services it offers.

Skill Building

Even those exceptional court children who manage to graduate from high school often do so with borderline skills.  To give our students a boost in their literacy preparedness, Project Lifeline sponsors a five-day summer writing workshop for new students, in partnership with Roosevelt University.  In an engaging, collegial atmosphere, they learn the basics of literary expression, essay writing and theme planning.  The skills they practice and hone boost both their confidence and their chances of success in those crucial first months of academic life after high school.

Follow links in the sidebar to view a select list of schools Project Lifeline graduates have attended, or to read the history of Project Lifeline.