Some kids spend after-school hours and weekends at music classes
and football practice. For these kids, summer is the time for
space camp and swimming lessons. But those whose families
struggle to pay the bills and can't afford extras often miss out
on these educational experiences. And as their classmates
progress, some find themselves getting further behind. According
to sociologist Roxanna Harlow, there is a direct link between
poverty and a child's level of educational achievement. And in
Carroll County, Md., where more than 90 percent of the
population is white, kids of color face a unique set of
challenges. "I feel strongly that good education should be
accessible to everybody, especially these extras that can really
make the difference," said Harlow. "We don't turn anyone away
based on money." Dr. Harlow founded Higher Learning Inc. (HLI),
a non-profit organization that "provides active educational
enrichment for underserved youth" because she was moved by the
contrast between the affluent college stud