Earthen Vessels pairs inner-city high school youths from Dorchester and Roxbury with Harvard University students for tutoring and mentoring; over 80% of the youths then go on to college.

The Harvard students meet their tutees in their own communities, to better understand the youths' background, needs and challenges; they spend time with their pupils outside of tutoring, to expose them to new experiences and environments.

Earthen Vessels' approach is holistic. An Educational Coordinator visits the tutees' schools, to coordinate the tutoring and to track the students' progress and needs; the tutees' families, and then with each tutor, to develop a learning plan for each tutee. A Family Advocate helps the families accede to needed services and opportunities.

There are now 45 tutor-tutee pairs. The Harvard students give more than 3,000 volunteer hours each, and many continue their support after graduation through donations. Earthen Vessels, however, needs continued philanthropic support to fund the staff positions that make this program so unique.