Supporting Youth

 

It’s time for Back-to-School readiness and several of our Mission Support grantees are up to the task.

 

Home Start / Backpack drive ends July 31

Through the end of July Home Start is collecting donations of school supplies to fill 1,200 backpacks for San Diego children. They’ve made the donation process very easy.  Hint: Amazon will deliver directly to Home Start. Visit Home Start’s website for more information.

Home Start is about supporting children by strengthening families. Last year they served more than 28,000 families in the region. They work to keep children safe and help them thrive through:

• Proven practices that stop abuse within families and neighborhoods
• Outreach programs that respond to specific community needs
• Education and assistance to improve parenting

 

Monarch School / Taking a holistic approach to education

School is year-round at Monarch School in Barrio Logan where it nurtures resiliency in unhoused youth and their families. Nearly 300 students attend Monarch School each day. The school provides a holistic education designed to meet the students’ academic needs plus provide opportunities for social and emotional growth and learning life skills. Life skills, including postsecondary readiness, financial literacy, and career exploration, help prepare students to plan for a life of self-sufficient living, critical to ending the cycle of poverty.

 

 

 

Reality Changers / Rappelling 29 stories for students

If backpacks are too tame for you to show your support for students, then maybe rappelling 29 stories down the side of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego is more your speed. Reality Changers’ annual “Over the Edge” fundraiser happens Saturday, August 24th.

Reality Changers prepares youth to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities. It provides students with supportive services before and during college.  Services include tutoring, mentorship, and college information.

 

 

First Gen Scholars \ Building a college-going culture

First Gen Scholars is on a mission to enable first generation, low-income students to unlock their full academic potential. Potential that comes from removing all financial barriers that often hold these students back. Through a system of student-run clubs where the objective for higher education becomes a shared journey, more and more students are being empowered to succeed.

The club model’s success has been recognized by the National College Attainment Network, the largest national conference for college access. It has recently invited First Gen Scholars to present twice at its upcoming conference in September. This a huge win for a small, but mighty nonprofit.

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