The ‘Alternative to College Fair,’ founded in the Bay Area in 2015, will again be in person on March 18 and 19, 2022 in Walnut Creek, CA.  The College Parent Survival Network is the host.  The ‘Alternative to College Fair’  was started by Shayna Abraham, MA, CEP. It is commonly known as the Alt Fair.

Spring 2020, the fair was scheduled to expand beyond the Bay Area and host an inaugural event in Denver, Colorado. That event was a trial to see how responsive families in a different geographic region were to the idea of an “Alternative-to-College Fair”.   Alongside Shayna, Joanna Lilley, MA. NCC of Lilley Consulting pivoted in 2020 to host a “Virtual Alt Fair” series trying to connect young adults, families, and professionals to still have access to learning about alternative-to-college programs.  “Although it was accessible, it just wasn’t the same as an in-person fair.  There’s a buzz that is palpable.  Young adults seeing other young adults who are in the same boat – trying to figure out an alternative path.  I am truly grateful to be able to host this in-person again in 2022!,” Shayna said.  This series is being publicized heavily and used by families who are in the College Parent Survival Network. or families who would be appropriate to join this secure parent support community. 

The target audience for the Alt Fair is young adults with pre-existing weaknesses, struggles or high school seniors and/or young adults who have left post-secondary institutions are encouraged to attend this in-person event in Walnut Creek, CA.  The description of the audience is intentionally broad because all the alternative options that are presenting have a variety of young adults that they serve.  Parents are also welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to learn more about College Parent Survival Network and meet other parents trying to support their emerging adult child.  This event is not to be confused with a traditional Gap Year Fair.  

New to the 2022 event is that it will be over two days. The first day, March 18, 2022, is a networking opportunity between professionals and program participants only.  The second day, March 19, 2022, will be the Alt Fair.  An email invitation has been sent to programs that historically participated in this event.  This is the first year that there will be a registration fee for participating programs.  Details about the schedule and fees will be sent to registered programs.   

• Young Adults/High School students in search of details about the March 19th in-person event, please contact hello@collegealternative.org.
• Parents looking to learn about the College Parent Survival Network or the event, please contact hello@collegealternative.org 
• Programs interested in participating can contact or register at CollegeAlternative.org website or email hello@collegealternative.org. 

About College Parent Survival Network: 

College Parent Survival Network is the safest online community for parents seeking support, direction, and guidance around helping their child launch into adulthood, whether that includes college or not.  Offering parents a platform to ask questions, normalize they aren’t alone, and learn from experts around college and early adulthood.  For more information, please check out the community. College Parent Survival Network is owned and operated by two Therapeutic Consultants and one College Consultant.  This collaboration was formed in an effort to help parents early, and potentially save the young adult from pain in the future.