PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The fundraising goal has been met and the countdown to Paris is on for 10 scholars from YESPhilly Accelerated High School in North Philly.
🎧 Bridging Philly: Students prepare for a life-changing trip
“We set out to raise $60,000. We set out to work with youth who traditionally would not have an opportunity like this. And all of those goals have been met,” said Jeannine A. Cook, founder of Harriett’s Bookshop.
Since opening her first shop in 2020, Cook has sought to pay it forward to the community. In September, she announced she wanted to send the students abroad and set up a GoFundMe to help pay for travel expenses, including airfare and lodging.
They exceeded that goal earlier this month and, come Friday, the students will be heading to Paris.
Cook and her team at YesPhilly are hosting a series of preparatory classes and workshops to get the travelers ready.
“You know in a few days we fly out. We did an airport day just to practice and we went to dinner to practice, to have that cultural exposure and experience,” Cook said.
Once in Paris, the students will learn about civil rights advocates and how Black Americans impacted world history.
Harriett’s Bookshop will host a community send-off party on Friday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 p.m.