"GEAR UP has helped me have more opportunities to go to college. It also has helped me in my leadership roles that I've been a part of. I don't just feel like a student, I feel they actually care for my future which makes my job easier. When you have people that care about you, it gives you more motivation to not let them down. GEAR UP has helped me get better at understanding different concepts in life. It has made me a stronger individual in ways I wouldn't think a program like GEAR UP could do. I'm really happy I'm able to be part of the GEAR UP family."