Building a Solid Foundation for the Future

Mecca McMillian dropped out of high school. Then, with her mother’s help, she found exactly what she needed: a Communities In Schools nontraditional learning environment.

Mecca McMillian’s smile can light up a room.  A 17-year-old student at the Newark Workforce Development Institute, a Communities In Schools of New Jersey Performance Learning Center® (PLC), Mecca has every reason to smile.  She is engaged in school, involved in a number of activities and on track to graduate in June 2009 with a bright future ahead of her.  She enjoys reading, writing, attending church and anything related to the fashion industry, especially modeling.

“I know I’ll be great at whatever I do after graduation, even though I’m not sure what it is yet,” she declared with a laugh.  She plans to attend college and pursue a degree in business administration, figuring it will help her no matter what type of career she eventually decides upon.  Because she is confident, poised and outspoken, one might never guess that Mecca was once a high school dropout.  Like so many other young people Communities In Schools serves, Mecca could have been just another statistic.  At 16, she dropped out of West Side High School in Newark from boredom, frustration and a lack of focus.

Daphne McMillian, though not pleased with her daughter’s decision, understands why Mecca left her school.  “Mecca is a go-getter and a leader but lacked the opportunities to excel at West Side,” McMillian said.  Mecca became disillusioned with the chaos at her school, had conflicts with teachers and other students and sometimes made poor choices. McMillian, a single mom who also has a 19-year-old son enlisted in the Navy, took a leave of absence for several months so she could help Mecca find her way back.

When Mecca was referred to the Newark Workforce Development Institute, a Communities In Schools of New Jersey school, she and her mom attended an orientation session.  Shortly afterwards, Mecca enrolled at the school and started attending classes in the fall of 2008 when its doors first opened.

LaKeisha Brooks, state PLC executive director, and Andre Taylor, PLC services coordinator for Communities In Schools of New Jersey, both work with Mecca on a regular basis.  Taylor described Mecca as “being a part of almost everything going on at the school.”

Brooks said that Mecca is really coming into her own and is a respectful young lady who not only carries herself well, but carries a message of hope and encouragement to her peers who may also be struggling in school.  “Since being here, Mecca has stepped up as a leader without hesitation,” she noted.  Mecca has become somewhat of a “rock star” ambassador, sharing the stage with nationally known stay-in-school advocates at public events in New Jersey.

Mecca received a great deal of academic and non-academic support, such as tutoring in needed subject areas.  Taylor was instrumental in helping Mecca obtain a Johnson & Johnson internship, which helps motivate students and provides them with business skills and professional development through hands-on experience.  Mecca also met with a Communities In Schools of New Jersey social worker on a regular basis to help her work through personal issues and stay focused.  Additionally, Mecca participated in group and one-on-one mentoring.

Mecca admits to having a lot of the same challenges as anyone else her age.  “Communities In Schools helps me overall, not just in school,” she said.  Her mother is also grateful that they found the Communities In Schools Performance Learning Center because it gives her daughter the environment in which to shine.  Reflecting on Mecca’s statement about being destined for great things, she echoes those sentiments.  “I believe that Mecca can accomplish anything she wants to in life, as long as she sticks with it.  Mecca is Mecca.  She is strong-willed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I raised her and her brother to be heard, to have a voice.  Mecca has had to deal with all of the usual teen growing pains – peer pressure, friendships, making the right choices.  My job is to prepare her for adulthood, and she’s getting there.  She’s beautiful inside and outside.”

January 2009