Welcome
Making a Difference
Working to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged students
Meet Our Annual Scholarship Recipients
It’s the 10th Anniversary of Chef Orlando Chatman’s Memorial Golf Tournament and we’re excited!
Louisiana Goes to College is the proud organizer of Chef Orlando Memorial Foundation Annual Scholarship. Each year Chef Orlando Memorial Foundation awards two first-gens with $1000 scholarship at its annual fundraising Golf Tournament. This year they are looking to giveaway 10 scholarships! Apply here.
2023 Winner of Chef Orlando Memorial Scholarship
Congratulations to this year's recipients: Captain Shreve High School’s Tyhlar Holliway...$1,500 and Huntington High School’s Kyrie Mitchell...$1,000
About Us
Our Team
Our amazing team of educators and business professionals are committed to helping first-generation college students and students with disabilities transition from high school to college. We take our convictions and turn them into action. Think you would be a good fit? Click the action button Get Involved.
Featured from left to right, Col. Kevin Moffett, Sabrina Moffett, Ashley Madison, Kesha M. Simmons, Dr. Sherin Mercer, Shawna Hawkins
The Need
The state of Louisiana's college retention rate is among the lowest in the nation with only 50% of freshmen making it past the first year. First-generation college students and students with disabilities have a greater dropout rate than their peers.
Our Mission
We will work to increase the number of disadvantaged students who complete college successfully through partnerships and community support. Our hope is to foster a web of support that keeps our best and brightest students tied to the Shreveport community.
Our Service
Invite Louisiana Goes to College to your college, university, or K-12 campus to discuss all things related to college and career readiness. Our team of educators and business professionals are on standby waiting to serve. Email your request to hello@youtooinc.com
Our Impact
Today, Louisiana college retention rate has improved slightly, according to Louisiana Board of Regents who report the current retention rate at 53.19% for incoming college freshmen. As we can see, there is still work to be done. We believe that Shreveport Goes to College is well on its way to helping improve these numbers. In 2019, we had 50 students in that cohort. Of those students, 47 of them made it past the first two-years, which represents a 94% retention rate. The other three students enlisted in the military. Shreveport Goes to College has a retention rate which is significantly higher than the state’s. All 30 of our 2020 cohort have successfully completed their first year of college. As a result of the dedication of our mentors, donors, and volunteers, we are impacting and changing the lives of first-generation college students.
Where Are They Now?
Remember first-generation college student Kennedy Carey-Prescott, a 2020 graduate of Byrd High School? Well, now she is a rising junior Biology Pre-Med Major, Chemistry and History Minor Board of Trustees scholar at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA. She holds a cumulative 3.92 GPA. She is a Fall 2021 initiate of the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in which she serves as Assistant Financial Secretary. Additionally, Kennedy is an initiate Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Epsilon Delta, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Kennedy also serves as Class of 2024 Treasurer and as a member of the Peer Dean Association Planning Committee.
“As a first-gen student, it is important to never lose faith and keep believing in yourself. There may be rough times, and your parents won’t understand because they’ve never been in your shoes. You must find a support system to keep you grounded and focused,” says Kennedy.
Hats off to you Kennedy for a job well done!
Our Programs
Louisiana Goes to College!
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for first-generation college students by helping them transition from high school to college. We provide dorm essentials and professional mentoring to encourage students to stay in school.
If These Walls Could Talk
Offers guidance to
families of students with disabilities in establishing educational accommodations in college. To schedule an appointment email hello@youtooinc.com.
Our Events
College Readiness Workshops
Our college readiness workshops provide practical steps students can take to succeed in college. First-generation college students who attend 4 out of 6 sessions will receive a footlocker filled with dorm room supplies.
Annual Trunk Giveaway
The Annual Trunk Giveaway is designed to showcase various college campuses in the Shreveport community and introduce those campuses to first-generation college students. First-generation college freshmen are invited to hear inspiring messages and collect need-to know resources. Each attendee will receive a college footlocker filled with college and dorm room supplies - See your high school senior counselor for details on registration or join our Facebook page Louisiana Goes to College. View the Photo Gallery below for more exciting footage of the event.
Dorm Supply Drive
The Dorm Supply Drive allows community members to lend their support to the Trunk Giveaway by donating college supplies and dorm essentials at designated drop off locations throughout the city. If you would like to host a Dorm Supply Drive, send your request to hello@youtooinc.com. Click here to view the Dorm Supply List
Louisiana Goes to College Annual Christmas Giveaway!
Congratulations Stacie Stewart! Stacie is the winner of a 70” Smart TV in support of #firstgenerationcollegestudents! Thanks again Stacie for your support of #LouisianaG2College and have a Merry Christmas!🎁🎅🏾🎄
Jingle Mingle
A party with a purpose! Join us for some holiday cheer as we celebrate the season with our supporters. Come and get in on the fun as we eat, drink, and compete for a chance to win our grand prize Christmas Giveaway.
Our Golden Sponsors
Golden Sponsors
Erin Berry
Chef Orlando Memorial Scholarship Fund
Louisiana State University Shreveport
Kecia Vekovius
Sponsors
Southern University Shreveport Louisiana
Pinnacle Professional Tax & Accounting Services
How You Can Help
- Become a Golden Sponsor with a monetary or in-kind donation of $1000 or more and be featured on our promotional items.
- Sponsor a college footlocker filled with college and dorm room essentials for $250
- Donate during the Dorm Supply Drive at selected locations
- Host a Dorm Supply Drive at your church, school, or civic organization. Click here to view our Dorm Supply List
- Make a one-time donation or monthly donation by clicking the action button ”Donate Now” below.
- Spread the word of our work through nomination or conversation!
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Make checks payable to YouToo, Inc.
P.O. Box 5254
Shreveport, LA 71135
