Losing federal funding hasn’t stopped Cincinnati Youth Collaborative from pushing forward with college prep support for local students. Even after the GEAR UP program’s funding was abruptly cut, CYC rallied community partners and resources to make sure students at Mt. Healthy and North College Hill can still get the guidance they need through 2026. Now, they’re building a new, locally funded version—Next Level Pathways—to keep the dream alive. It’s a big shift from federal to community support, and it raises the question: Should vital programs like this rely on local fundraising, or should federal backing be guaranteed? #Education #College #Cincinnati