ACCESS Honors Mayor Menino at Evening of Inspiration and Recognition

Boston – May 29, 2008 – ACCESS, Boston’s leading provider of financial aid advising and scholarships, honored Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino – the City’s leading champion for increased opportunity and access to higher education for all of Boston’s youth. The annual dinner event also celebrated the organization’s third year of exponential growth in service to the students and families of Boston.

Each year, ACCESS recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals and organizations that work to ensure that all of Boston’s youth have the education and opportunities necessary to lead successful, fulfilling lives. During his tenure, Mayor Menino has committed himself to strengthening Boston Public Schools, and the school district’s success has been recognized repeatedly with awards and scholarship money for its students.

The annual dinner, held this year at The Seaport Hotel, was hosted by Peter and Rosanne Bacon Meade. The program featured student and parent speakers, who shared how ACCESS has played a key role in making their college dreams a reality. Following dinner, a live auction was held featuring items from the Otto Club Boston, the Boston Bruins, Stir and the Boston Red Sox, as well as ACCESS’s first live “Mission Auction.” Funds raised from the Gala support ACCESS’s advising and scholarship programs. A portion of the night’s proceeds go towards formally creating the Thomas M. Menino Scholarship Fund at ACCESS for Boston students who matriculate at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Since its founding, ACCESS has been an important partner to youth, families, and schools in ensuring that all young people in Boston have the financial information and resources they need to reach college. Over the past three years, ACCESS has tripled the amount of financial aid secured by ACCESS advisees – from $8.3 million to $26 million – and tripled the number of one-to-one advising sessions held with high school seniors. Last fall, ACCESS expanded financial aid advising services to three new schools. And in April, construction began on the ACCESS Advising Center, which will provide support to all Boston students and families who dream of higher education.

“ACCESS envisions a day when – regardless of family resources – every young person in Boston can reach his or her fullest potential by, at a minimum, graduating from college,” said Bob Giannino-Racine, executive director of ACCESS. “Together, by investing in educational opportunity for our young people, we take bold strides towards achieving that goal and building a bright future for our city.”

Past Gala award recipients include: Robert L. Beal, President and CEO of The Beal Companies, Barbara Lynch, Executive Chef/Owner of No. 9 Park, Clayton H. W. Turnbull, President and CEO of The Waldwin Group, Inc., Larry Lucchino, President and CEO, Boston Red Sox, Linda Whitlock, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, Henri Termeer, President and CEO, Genzyme Corporation, The Honorable Robert Travaglini, President, Massachusetts State Senate.

___________________
ACCESS is Boston’s leading provider of financial aid advising and scholarships. Since 1985, ACCESS has provided financial aid advising to nearly 40,000 Boston students and awarded millions of dollars in scholarships. These services are free of charge and provided to students from every public high school and neighborhood in Boston. By removing financial barriers, providing personal support and advocacy and staying with students throughout their college careers, ACCESS has put tens of thousands of young people on the path to success.