We envision a world where every young person has the opportunity to develop the confidence, character, and skills to complete college and to become leaders who transform communities.
The mission of Summer Search is to find resilient low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year- round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising, and a lasting support network.
Low-income youth face tremendous obstacles to completing college and achieving their full potential. They often live in neighborhoods where poverty and crime rates are extremely high, while job and education opportunities are poor. According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 50% of low-income students graduate high school. Only 11% complete a four-year college within six years (Pell Institute, 2008 Report: Moving Beyond Access). This puts students from low-income communities at a serious disadvantage when it comes to having a chance at economic self-sufficiency, full civic participation, and to become leaders.
Each piece of the Summer Search model builds upon the others to provide opportunities and support that few low-income youth would otherwise receive: