Summer Search

CONTACT:

500 Amory St
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-524-9911
www.summersearch.org

Debbie Krause, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 1995, and based on a model pioneered in San Francisco in 1990, Summer Search offers at-risk high school students who have shown promise of leadership, caring for others, and character in overcoming adversity, an opportunity to participate in life-changing experiential education programs — e.g., wilderness expeditions, academic study, community or environmental service projects worldwide. It follows-through with continuing mentoring and support for every participant, based on individual needs, through high school and beyond. Not surprisingly, it has grown rapidly, from 14 students in 1996 to 205 in 2006, with 100% of them graduating high school, 93% going on to college, and 89% on track to be college graduates. The goal is to maximize their potential and break cyles of poverty. Its results have been powerful: 93% of participants have gone on to college, and 89% have graduated. Summer Search leverages half of each student's expenses ($2,000 of the total $4,000 average cost) from sponsors; it raises over $200,000 in scholarships each year from partners and $800,000 from local communities. Perhaps you or your corporation can provide scholarship support to save a few lives for philanthropy with your own philanthropy?

(1999: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: Sports and Summer)