College Tour of Wentworth Institute   About Us The Higher Education Resource Center was developed in response to the low percentage of African American and Latino students graduating from high school and going on to receive a degree in higher education. HERC provides academic enrichment and support services, college and career advising, and retention support to under-represented urban students (grades 6 to 12) and their families. HERC inspires vision and purpose in the lives of its participants by equipping and empowering them to achieve their goals, realize their potential and transform their lives and communities. HERC services include tutoring, mentoring, SAT & MCAS preparatory classes, homework assistance, college tours, and a 14 PC Computer lab. HERC offers ongoing programs including: the MASTER (Math and Science Technology Educational Resource) Program, which is a collaboration with WPI, and works with students interested in pursuing a career in math or science; the Passport Program, an academic enrichment and college-advising initiative, which requires a two year commitment during the student’s junior and senior years of high school, and concludes with a scholarship for higher education; and a Book Club for middle school students. If any questions arise as you surf through our site, you may call us at 508-756-0900 or contact us online via email at worcherc@gis.net. Why is the Higher Education Resource Center (HERC) needed? A high school  diploma is no longer sufficient to secure a lucrative career. However many high schools in low income communities with diverse student bodies have a drop out rate as high as 40%.  Of the students who do graduate from high school, only a few will go on to college.  Those students who do go on to higher education struggle to keep up and many fail to complete their course of study. New Centers Help Students Get To College In response to this growing demand for education, a planning group, comprised of representatives from African-American and Latino churches, the Boston TenPoint coalition, the Higher Education Information Center of the Education Resources Institute, Emmanuel Gospel Center, Boston Education Collaborative and the Nellie Mae Foundation designed a church-based college advising and preparation program. The result is the establishment of the first church-based Higher Education Resource Centers (HERCs). These centers are housed at the Congregacion Leon de Juda (Lion of Judah Church) in Boston, Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Brockton, Iglesia Evengelica Hispana in Lawrence, Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Worcester and Dorchester Historic 2nd Church & Haitian Church of the Nazarene. College Prep Services Offered Academic guidance for middle and high school students and their families Library of information on colleges, financial aid, scholarships, careers and bible institutes Internet Access Assistance with college and financial aid applications One-on-one counseling for high school preparation, post-secondary options, college survival skills Test preparation (e.g. MCAS, PSAT, SAT) Parent Outreach Support network for students Leadership training Career Awareness Mentoring Tutoring Campus Visits Clearinghouse of higher education information for Educators and Guidance Counselors Passport Program (Junior-Senior Years of High School) Accessing the Worcester Center Mrs. Janice Weekes Site Director Higher Education Resource Center Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church 1189 Main Street Worcester, MA 01603 Tel. (508) 756-0900 Fax: (508)756-1239 worcherc@gis.net For information on accessing the Boston, Brockton, Lawrence or Dorchester Centers, click on our "Links" page.