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.

The Youth Ambassadors of College Knowledge program trains low-income, medium- to high-achieving 10th and 11th grade students with UC-eligibility to prepare for and pay for college and to serve as "Peer Ambassadors." Approximately 60 Peer Ambassadors participate in a two-day leadership training program provided in collaboration with college counseling staff and recent college graduates and develop a plan to promote college-going at each of their high schools. They utilize SoCalCAN's digital outreach campaign and online learning community (www.KnowHow2go.org) to further promote college-going on their campuses.

 

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, Director, Southern California College Access Network