We had the pleasure this month of touching base with one of our very own C3 Center students, Sure Track to College graduate, and NWBRV Sure Track Award Winner, Daishanay Francis! A Clark Atlanta University bound Woonsocket graduate, Daishanay took the time to give us the insight into what makes NWBRV’s Sure Track to College program and our C3 Center truly a path to success.
NWBRV: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Daishanay! Can you start off by giving us a little personalized highlight–what makes you, you!
Daishanay: Growing up, my family faced financial struggles, which meant extracurricular activities were not an option for me. Instead, I found fulfillment and purpose in community service from a young age. In middle school, I met Nwando and became involved in the organization’s community service projects. NeighborWorks became a second home where I could learn, grow, and give back. I used the resources they provided to help my peers and my younger siblings, sharing what I learned to make a difference in our community.
NWBRV: We’d love for readers to learn more about your experience at the C3 Center. What was being involved there like growing up?
Daishanay: My time at the C3 Center was a pivotal period in my life, particularly as I was transitioning from being a child to adulthood. At the center, I learned invaluable lessons about community, career development, and college preparation. The C3 Center opened my eyes to a world of possibilities beyond my small state of Rhode Island, teaching me that I am capable of achieving more than I ever imagined. It instilled in me the belief that I am not limited by my circumstances or my environment.
NWBRV: For readers that haven’t ever been to or experienced the C3 Center, can you give us a “day in the life of a C3 kid” picture?
Daishanay: The C3 Center is a unique place where young people have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally in a supportive and enriching environment. The staff and programs are designed to help participants develop essential skills for the adult world, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. The center also provides meals, ensuring that every participant is cared for. During the summer, the C3 Center addresses gaps in education and reading comprehension, helping prevent summer learning loss. Dedicated participants can earn stipends, and there are opportunities for educational field trips, which allow kids to learn in fun and engaging ways outside the classroom. The C3 Center encourages young people to step away from screens and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
NWBRV: Tell us about winning the Sure Track Award! What did it mean to you?
Daishanay: Winning the Sure Track Award was incredibly meaningful to me. It represented not just an acknowledgment of my hard work but also a continuation of the legacy of previous winners—individuals I have long admired and looked up to. In particular, I looked up past Anta Sall Scholars and Carter Roger Williams Scholarship winners. The Carter Roger Williams Scholarship is the largest scholarship in Rhode Island, valued at $80,000, and many of its recipients have come from the C3 Center including myself. This alone speaks volumes about the impact of the program. Becoming part of this group of inspiring individuals is an honor, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence. It’s a reminder that I am now part of the inspirational narrative of what it means to be a “C3 kid.”
The C3 Center and staff members like Nwando are behind the activist, class president, and Carter Roger Williams Scholar I have become. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the guidance and support needed to achieve my goals and grow into the person I am today.”
Daishanay Francis
NWBRV: We’re sure there are many to choose from, but can you share with us one of your favorite, most memorable high school accomplishments?
Daishanay: One of my proudest achievements is creating a mental health resource card during my freshman year of high school. This card features a QR code that provides access to vital resources for mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence. It has reached over 5,000 students and continues to be distributed by the Woonsocket education department and the C3 center in Woonsocket, leaving my mark as a C3 youth. Through community service, I have not only helped others but also discovered a profound passion of mine.
NWBRV: Tell us about your goals as you start college this fall!
Daishanay: My goal in college is to major in Business Administration. I’d like to align it with nonprofit work, or partnership in the corporate world, and become the CEO of a nonprofit or DEI director. I’d love a job someday where I can bridge the nonprofit and corporate worlds, either by bringing them together or helping to make the corporate world a diverse and inclusive environment.
What I love about the Sure Track to College program is that there is something for every student. Each student has had a unique set of experiences, skills, and goals.”
Nwando Ofokansi
The NeighborWorksBlackstone River Valley’s Sure Track to College team is proud to provide personalized guidance to high school and college aged students, helping turn their dreams into tangible realities. The program, run by a highly dedicated team of individuals including NWBRV’s C3 Center Site Coordinator Nwando Ofokansi, prepares students for the future by devising long term goals and providing the instrumental small steps necessary to achieve them. For many students in communities like Woonsocket, the Sure Track to College program fills a crucial gap in the education system by providing the one-on-one support necessary to help students identify and work towards their personal goals. For more information, please reach out to Nwando at nofokansicbir@nwbrv.org.
