Youth Ambassadors of College Knowledge

southern_california_college_access_network
Amount:
$30,000
Year:
2008
Field of Interest:
Program Name:
Youth Ambassadors of College Knowledge
Grant Type:
General Community
Grant Website
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ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

The Southern California College Access Network (SoCalCAN) is an alliance of 20 nonprofit organizations founded in 2005 to increase college access and success rates for low-income, disadvantaged youth. As a forum for joint learning and collaboration, SoCalCAN provides member organizations the opportunity to strengthen capacity, enhance results, and broaden impact by sharing best practices, developing common tools, and building strategic partnerships.

GRANT PURPOSE

The Youth Ambassadors of College Knowledge program trains and empowers tenth and eleventh grade low-income, medium- to high-achieving students at five high schools to prepare for and pay for college and to serve as 'Peer Ambassadors' who promote college-going among their peers.

The peer ambassadors program has been in the planning stages for two years, and The Foundation grant will help us get it off the ground and reach more students. Now more than ever, with the economy in a downturn we need to come together and be innovative. The grant couldn't have come at a better time. It's difficult for collaboratives to raise funds due to the complexities of our organizational structures and programmatic implementation. We really appreciate The Foundation's insight and support, and value The Foundation as a strategic leader.

Alison De Lucca
Southern California College Access Network