SCCF 2022-2023 GRANT RECIPIENTS

ARIZONA FRIENDS OF FOSTER CHILDREN FOUNDATION (AFFCF) – 6TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of AFFCF is to promote self-esteem and empower children and youth in Arizona foster care by funding services to enrich their life experiences and ensure their successful transition to adulthood. AFFCF serves children from infancy to age 21.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Support for Children and Youth in Pima County Foster Care

AFFCF has a long history of working to improve the educational success of students in foster care in Pima County by funding educational support activities and items to enhance the school experiences of children in foster care including tutoring, school program fees and school field trips. Any child currently in foster care in Pima County is eligible to apply for an award through AFFCF. The application is reviewed by a Board and funds are paid to appropriate vendors. The organization undergoes an audit to ensure that every award is accounted for with the required documentation.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • 75% of children will demonstrate improvement in academic performance
  • 80% of children will demonstrate increased self-esteem
  • 80% of children will demonstrate improvement in behavior

WEBSITE

BEN’S BELLS PROJECT – 1ST YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of Ben’s Bells is to teach individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and to inspire people to practice kindness as a way of life.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Growing A Kind Community in South Tucson

The project in South Tucson will influence positive social/emotional growth for K-12 students. This specific grant is for three high need schools, two elementary schools and one middle school. The funding request will impact each school directly to cultivate kindness at the individual, classroom, school, neighborhood and community levels. Each school will receive access to Ben’s Bells Kind Campus program with customized mentoring provided by Ben’s Bells educational staff.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Quantitative measurements of how many assemblies are facilitated or how many Kindness Coins are distributed. Ben’s Bells will work directly with each school to conduct pre and post surveys to help measure the qualitative results of kindness.

WEBSITE

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF TUCSON (BBBS) – 12th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is to create and support one to one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth so that all youth achieve their full potential. In 2023 BBBS will serve 400 youth and families, and they will continue doubling down on their efforts to recover from the COVID pandemic and recruit new children and volunteers into the program. Of the young people served in 2022, 70% lived in a single parent home, 28% had an incarcerated parent and 75% came from low-income homes.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Traditional “Big-Little” Youth Mentoring Program

Once matched, the Bigs and Littles spend 2-3 hours at least 2 times a month at outings designed especially with the kids in mind. Bigs are encouraged to offer experiences Littles are not otherwise exposed to. Bigs offer opportunities such as free or low-cost educational outings to local museums, parks, walk in nature and other experiences where a Little can begin to trust in their Big. BBBS also organizes and hosts group outings each month for these Bigs and Littles. There has been a substantial increase in referrals because of the past issue of social isolation as a result of the pandemic. SCCF funds will help support the cost of recruiting new volunteers, matching mentors with youth in need, catch youth up in school and provide them with new and effective ways to stay connected to their mentors in the coming year.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

BBBS evaluates services and impact using the Youth Outcome Survey. Youth are evaluated in seven indicator areas, and the following percentage of youth either met or exceeded their respective goals in each measure, as follows:

  • Scholastic Competency 85%
  • Educational Expectations 100%
  • Grades 69%
  • Social Acceptance 91%
  • Parental Trust 75%
  • Risk Avoidance 99%
  • Special Adult Relationship 94%

WEBSITE

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF TUCSON (BGCT)- 9TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

BGCT is a leading youth development organization offering quality after school care at six Clubhouse locations across Tucson for youth ages 7-17. Their mission is to empower members by offering programs in several key areas: workforce readiness, academic success/homework help, sports and wellness, and leadership skills.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Excel With Our Youth

Boys and Girls Clubs believe the most effective program for keeping youth on track to graduate high school is their Excel program. Excel stewards any participating youth across four years of high school by rewarding academic performance. Students must produce a report card each quarter and if the GPA is all B’s and A’s, they are rewarded with a gift card. This incentive program has played a critical role in contributing to the statistic of over 90% of members being on track to graduate high school.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • 95% of youth are performing at their grade level
  • 95% of teens expect to graduate from high school
  • 80% of youth believe that the things they are learning in school are beneficial

WEBSITE

BOYS TO MEN TUCSON (BTMT) – 1ST YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of BTMT is to strengthen our communities by nurturing intentional spaces for boys, men and masculine-identified folks to practice honest and mindful relationships. The vision is for every boy to have access to safe and loving men in their lives.

Focus on the 2023 Grant

The program offers a school-based mentorship approach with weekly talking circles between teen boys and trained volunteer adult male mentors. Other programs offered are Adventure Outings and Adventure Weekends. Boys who spend one year in this program on average experience a 25% improvement in GPA, as well as significant decreases in absenteeism and disciplinary referrals.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Monthly data is collected from school districts on grades, attendance and discipline referrals.

WEBSITE

CASA DE LOS NINOS – 4th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

Casa de los Ninos offers services that have been strategically chosen to support at-risk, low-income families of all ages, races and genders every step of the way – by providing child abuse prevention programs, assisting families when crisis arise and offering treatment through therapeutic services.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Kelly Early Education Center

The Kelly Early Education Center is committed to providing high quality early education that will not only prepare students to be successful in kindergarten, but to also be socially and developmentally prepared to form healthy relationships and social connections to build a solid foundation for themselves as they grow. About 80% of households attending the Early Education Center use DES subsidies. The EEC has dedicated a specific focus to families who live in poverty whose children may exhibit disruptive or challenging behaviors that can lead to expulsion from other early education programs.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

The Kelly Early Education Center uses the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, which are evidence and research-based questionnaires that access the social-emotional and developmental well-being of each child and can help identify delays, disorders, or issues that need to be addressed. These questionnaires are completed every six months and establish a consistent baseline for behavior and to track progress.

WEBSITE

EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT FOUNDATION – 8TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The Educational Enrichment Foundation’s mission is to provide resources to expand and enrich student learning in the Tucson Unified School District. The EEF works to reduce/eliminate the barriers that keep students away from school and provide an equitable opportunity to help them succeed alongside their more affluent peers.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Interscholastic Support Services

The program assists financially disadvantaged, academically eligible TUSD students to participate in organized interscholastic activities that require fees. In collaboration with Arizona Interscholastic Association leadership, the EEF covers activity fees for qualifying middle and high school students.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Surveys will be taken from parents/guardians of high school participants to assess the impact.

  • How did the fee payment program impact the student
  • What is the parent’s/guardian’s perception of the students confidence, attitude and school performance
  • Does the student plan on pursuing any level of higher education

WEBSITE

EL GRUPO YOUTH CYCLING – 11th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

El Grupo is a youth development organization with a mission to empower youth through bicycles and fosters values that support youth both on and off the bike.

Focus on the 2023 Grant: El Grupo Youth Cycling

The El Grupo cycling program focuses on helping youth translate bike skills into life skills by providing meaningful structure and harmony that integrates practices, academic support and the opportunity for community activities. This structure helps youth get the support they need to succeed on their own and in the future. El Grupo works diligently on continuing a 100% high school graduation rate and 90% post-high school education as well as a 100% report from youth on having greater self-confidence and social skills. SCCF funds from 2022 allowed El Grupo to continue to provide programming to approximately 1400 youth, ages 7-18. Regular programming resumed and students who had left El Grupo in 2020 and 2021 returned.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • 100% high school graduation rate
  • Over 90% of alumni pursuing post-high school education
  • 100% of alumni have the skill to address life challenges
  • 100% of alumni report setting personal goals
  • 90% of alumni report resiliency
  • 90% feel that they are successful

WEBSITE

GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA – 2ND YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The Girl Scouts Leadership Experience promotes enthusiastic exploration of four core programmatic pillars (STEM, entrepreneurship, the outdoors and life skills) while equipping young girls with vital skills to be independent and successful adults.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Today’s Girl Scouts Tomorrow Scientists

The Girl Scouts of So AZ curriculum is designed for and by girls to augment classroom learning with engaging activities that promote critical reasoning, problem solving, research capabilities, tech literacy and more. The mission is to expose the girls to STEM experiences in a non- threatening and supportive environment. The STEM experience is done in collaboration with the University of Arizona and this year’s funding will support STEM/robotic kits for 160 girls.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

The effectiveness and sustainability of the project is evaluated through surveys and observation. GSSoAZ measures outputs by counting the number of girls in the program, the hours engaged and the badges they earn.

WEBSITE

HIGHER GROUND – 13TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

Higher Ground is the first to implement a Community School model in Arizona. They created Restart SMART, a research driven, data focused and relationship centered approach to reaching individualized community sustainability. Each school site has trained specialists focusing on elementary and middle school student wellness, family wellness and community relationships.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Community Nights Featuring Homework Dinners

Past SCCF funding has supported a Family Stabilization Program at Higher Ground. Since the pandemic, Higher Ground has changed the focus of their work and are offering the Community Nights program in school sites where they have their SMART program running. The mission is to engage the whole family in a community environment and provide enrichment programs for adults, homework assistance and life skills to the students.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Higher Ground utilizes several standardized assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of their programs. They also use a patented life tracking process to measure essential program outcomes for students:

  • Attendance in school
  • Behavior referral rates
  • Impulsivity changes
  • General wellness
  • Parent engagement

WEBSITE

IMAGO DEI MIDDLE SCHOOL (IDMS) – 12TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of Imago Dei Middle School is to break cycles of poverty through education, by giving children impacted by poverty in Tucson a quality, private school education during the critical middle school years. They serve up to 80 Tucson boys and girls in grades 5-8 from low-income families, without regard to race, faith or perceived academic potential.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Playformance Social and Emotional Development Program

Significant delays in social and emotional development have been observed by educators at IDMS upon the return of students to the classroom. Significant issues have surfaced for many students, which are interfering with their academic learning. IDMS is partnering with Playformance to focus on helping students overcome the effects of a year of isolation, uncertainty and loneliness. Many IDMS students do not have safe places to engage in social interaction with their peers and this environment provides that.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

IDMS staff are working with child wellness experts and child psychologists to develop a survey of both children and parents to identify current levels of confidence and social anxiety and to compare them after the completion of the program.

WEBSITE

INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES (ICS) – 3rd YEAR

AGENCY BACKGROUND

ICS is a social service organization whose mission is to help people achieve stable, healthy and independent lives. ICS programs and services meet essential needs for some of the most vulnerable in our community. They provide children of low-income families the opportunity to gain access to educational support and enrichment activities that would otherwise be unattainable.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Youth Enrichment Services Program (YES)

ICS is seeking funding to provide children of very low-income ICS parents with access to academic tutoring, technology and after school enrichment programs to help students improve academically so they are on track for graduation. Parents and caregivers apply for support from the YES program, which will then provide services for tutoring, technology or extra curricular activities.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

ICS utilizes the Self-Sufficiency Matrix to gauge a child’s involvement in academic support activities. The matrix is utilized as an annual pre and post assessment. ICS is also working with Social Venture Partners to develop an assessment tool that will measure increased school attendance, participation and overall academic success.

WEBSITE

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT – 12th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

JA of Arizona’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. They do this by giving students the knowledge and skills they need to manage their money, plan for their future and make smart academic, career and economic choices. Past funding supported students at Pueblo High School. The school was not able to participate this past year, so JA of Arizona decided to use the funds at San Miguel High School and Tucson Unified Virtual Academy.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Career Readiness and Financial Literacy Education for High School Students

Junior Achievement brings volunteers into San Miguel High School to deliver career readiness and financial literacy programming to every student. The Tucson Unified Virtual Academy is for students who need to attend school virtually beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. JA and TUVS are partnering to bring live volunteers onto Zoom with the students to deliver the full JA programs to all classes in the school.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

The primary objective is to prepare students for the workforce while motivating them to graduate from high school, minimize drop out rates and maximize lifelong financial security. Key measurable outcomes are:

  • Demonstrate an average knowledge gain of at least 20% at the conclusion of the program
  • Learn the skills, attitudes and behaviors needed to be successful in both work and life
  • Demonstrate an understanding of critical financial literacy and workforce readiness

WEBSITE

LITERACY CONNECTS – 11th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The programs at Literacy Connects coach children in reading so they don’t fall behind in school. Other programs teach parents the importance of reading to their children, help young people experience the power of words and ideas through the arts and put books in the hands of people who need them. 2022 SCCF funding supported the Reading Seed Program in serving 635 children at 26 Title 1 elementary schools. Reading Seed also distributed 15,663 free, quality books at those 26 partner schools for children to take home to build home libraries.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Reading Seed Children Literacy Program

Reading Seed recruits, trains and supports volunteers to work one to one with children reading below grade level. The goals of the program are for students to increase reading proficiency, to develop healthy identities as readers and learners and ultimately to positively impact third grade reading levels. The vision is that all children in Pima County will read at grade level by the end of third grade.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Children in the Reading Seed program consistently demonstrate an average of 30% greater gains in assessed literacy skills than the general student population. Because students who are referred to the program typically begin a school year 0.5-2.5 grade levels behind their peers, this significant increase in the rate of learning is exactly what is needed to get these children caught up and reading at grade level.

WEBSITE

LIVE THE SOLUTION – 9TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission is to empower low to moderate income students to achieve the dream of a college education. The model is anchored by a matched savings scholarship program, serving to make college financially affordable for students who may not otherwise be able to afford the cost of higher education.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Earn to Learn-Matched Savings Scholarships

SCCF funding will support coaching programs that assist students in building financial wellness, promote college readiness and provide workforce development training opportunities. Students receive personalized guidance and resources to successfully navigate the college-going process, attain a postsecondary degree and improve their overall economic opportunity, financial security and upward mobility. These services promote student retention and completion at all levels of education.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Earn to Learn uses an electronic management system to track, monitor and report student outcomes. Tracking reports number of hours of personal finance training, recruitment and retention rates, academic performance and services/referrals received.

WEBSITE

MAKE WAY FOR BOOKS (MWFB) – 15TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

MWFB’s mission is to promote early literacy in limited resource areas of southern Arizona by providing children (birth-5 years) with an opportunity to fall in love with books and reading. The vision is that all children will enter school with the early literacy skills necessary to be successful. The 2022 SCCF funds supported MWFB in their efforts to meet the early literacy and learning needs of children in a digital space due to the pandemic. They offered an online story hour and reached 800 families with joyful, high quality, bilingual programming. SCCF funding also enabled MWFB to distribute 700 books for families to use at home.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Story School

Story School is an innovative, two-generation program through which children and parents learn together simultaneously and both gain critical skills. Families join small Story School cohorts every week to share stories and literacy activities focused on building children’s skills and parents’ knowledge, strategies and confidence to support their children’s early literacy development.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • 100% of children will gain access to high quality age appropriate books and resources at home
  • At least 90% of children will gain skills in the areas of emergent literacy and language
  • At least 90% of parents will gain skills, confidence and tools to support their young children’s emergent literacy and language development
  • At least 90% of parents will share books more effectively to foster their children’s literacy development

WEBSITE

OUR FAMILY SERVICES – 12TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of Our Family Services is to eliminate homelessness and strengthen our community. They achieve this by providing stability in times of crisis, linking people to support and resources and supporting social connectedness. Our Family provides a diverse array of programs and services to achieve their mission including services for homeless youth and families. Support from SCCF provided life changing housing, shelter and case management for 814 youth last year. This includes 106 runaway, homeless and abused teenagers who found safety at the Reunion House shelter and 203 homeless youth accessed case management and support services through the Street Outreach program. Some 85% of the runaway and homeless youth who called Reunion House home were enrolled in school during their stay. SCCF funding not only has a direct, major and positive impact on the lives of local youth, but also allows Family Services to leverage additional government match funds to broaden the SCCF contribution’s impact even further.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Homeless Youth Services/Reunion Crisis Shelter

This program will provide a comprehensive continuum of services that offers homeless teenagers an unbroken path from the streets to long term stability, including street and community outreach, emergency shelter, case management, counseling and support services. Funding will also support Reunion House, which is a 20 bed temporary crisis shelter for children ages 12-17. Housing services are supported by case management, counseling and skills training, each of which work together to prepare young people to achieve their goals and experience healthy adulthood.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • 100% of the sheltered teens will have basic food, clothing and health care needs met
  • 85% of teens will be enrolled in school during their stay at Reunion House
  • 80% of teens will transition to safe and stable living arrangements

WEBSITE

PROJECT ACCESS INC – 2nd YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

Project Access’s mission is to be the leading provider of vital onsite health, education and employment services to families, children and seniors living in affordable and workforce housing communities. They operate family resource centers in low to moderate-income communities to help cultivate strong communities, positive changes and hopeful futures.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Education for Youth Tucson, AZ

Project Access’s programming is guided by evidence-based models of programs that combat the detrimental effects of poverty on youth education. By increasing the likelihood of high school graduation, after school programs increase the salary potential and ultimately the earning power for low-income youth. The after-school programming provided by Project Access fills a tremendous opportunity gap in low-income neighborhoods by providing underserved youth with comprehensive out of classroom education enrichment services that lead them on a path towards academic achievement and beyond. Each program component addresses the holistic needs of the child and establishes a strong foundation for success in the classroom and beyond. The programming is free and available year-round to students.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

In 2023 Project Access expects to serve 215 youth in seven affordable housing communities throughout Pima County.

  • 90% of participants will report increased tools and resources for navigating parenting years
  • 100% of sites will provide access to STEM learning activities once or twice a month
  • 85% of participants will report increased knowledge of college/trade school eligibility requirements and financial aid options
  • 95% will report a plan to put their learning into action

WEBSITE

SAN MIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL – 12TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

San Miguel High School exists to create a learning community where students from limited financial means have the opportunity to develop to their full potential, regardless of religious affiliation. At San Miguel, students take a full college preparatory course load while simultaneously holding internships, working in corporations and earning nearly 35% of their school tuition. 2022 SCCF funding supported essential components of the College Counseling Program. 79 Students graduated from San Miguel in 2022 having submitted 499 college applications and were awarded 108 merit scholarships ranging from $750 to $10,800.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: San Miguel High School’s College Counseling Program

The College Counseling Program helps low-income students set post-secondary education goals and then helps them to achieve those goals. Students are aided in completing college applications, organizing college visit trips, filling out financial aid and scholarship forms and researching various college and summer enrichment programs. SCCF funding will be used for the following activities, which prepare students for college admittance and provide training for college counseling staff:

  • Access to Naviance software, used by both students and staff for researching colleges, applying to colleges and applying for scholarships
  • Financial aid nights for Seniors
  • Standardized test preparation and testing
  • Financial assistance with advanced placement testing
  • Provision of emergency funds to assist students with application fees

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • Mandatory that every senior student will complete and submit a minimum of 13 college applications, including applications to all 3 in-state public universities and Pima Community College.
  • Collectively the senior class will receive a minimum of 3 college acceptances per student and 100% of graduating seniors will be accepted to college.
  • Every senior student will complete and apply for at least 5 scholarship applications and collectively earn a minimum of $2.5 million in financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships.
  • Every student will attend a minimum of one in-state college visit per year.
  • All counseling staff members will attend a minimum of 2 workshops during the 2022-2023 academic school year.

WEBSITE

SOUTHERN ARIZONA RESEARCH, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FOUNDATION (SARSEF) – 5TH YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

SARSEF works in classrooms and online providing hands-on activities challenging students to investigate real-life problems, building critical thinking and problem-solving skills in K-12 grade levels. SARSEF also works directly with teachers, modeling how to integrate student led inquiry-based learning into lesson planning, activities and direct instruction.

Focus of 2023 Grant: 2023 STEM Education and Outreach

SARSEF delivers STEM programming across a spectrum of programs.

  1. What Do We Wonder? – Teaches preK-12 students the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to make a difference in science and engineering.
  2. S.T.A.R. Labs – High School students gain access to professional research resources and mentorship.
  3. Roadmap to a Rockin Project – Families work together to investigate solutions through science projects.
  4. ACES Camp – Girls attend summer camp to explore STEM careers and academic opportunities.
  5. Regional SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

SARSEF measures impact through several metrics:

  • A comparison of the AZ Department of Education’s adopted test of state standards
  • Data is gathered for each school: number of students, number of Title 1 schools, demographics, whether the participant school received education outreach and the number of teachers and parents participating in each school
  • Self-reported teacher professional development impact

WEBSITE

SOUTHERN ARIZONA ASSOCIATION FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED (SAAVI) – 9th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The mission of SAAVI is to cultivate growth and opportunity for blind people through nonvisual skills training; demonstrating that all challenges have solutions, while fostering self-efficacy through empowerment and confidence. Funding from SCCF in 2022 helped facilitate access to the Reaching Empowerment Through Achievement and Learning Program for children experiencing blindness. Programming was held in person at their training center in Tucson as well as virtually. 175 children were served along with 100 parents.

Focus of 2023 Grant: REAL – Reaching Empowerment Through Achievement and Learning

This funding will support SAAVI’s signature program REAL, which is a highly interactive and participatory program that provides education and hands on experiences for blind children in grades K-12 and their parents/families (200 in total). The ultimate goal of REAL is to increase the number of blind/visually- impaired youth that will go on to post-secondary education and become independent members of society. Through this program, blind children engage in activities to increase their learning potential, independence and self-esteem. This year’s funding would be specifically used to expand and improve the Tucson center’s library with the purchase of 50 Unified English Braille books.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Clients are tracked from kindergarten through high school graduation/post-secondary education until they move into their careers. Success is evaluated by pre and post program surveys, monthly evaluations, staff observations and feedback.

  1. 175 children will gain increased independent living skills
  2. 100% or the program participants will benefit from increased access to materials with the most up to date Braille reading standards

WEBSITE

STEP: STUDENT EXPEDITION PROGRAM – 6th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

STEP educates and empowers low-income students with the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills to successfully transition to college and attain a 4-year degree. STEP began in 2005 providing wilderness leadership expeditions to low-income high school students. Since 2011, STEP has grown and developed into a full-service College Prep Program. 2022 SCCF funding was used to help guide Tucson high school students through the process of preparing for, applying to and transitioning to college. Funding provided:

  1. Outreach and recruiting presentations to sophomore high school students.
  2. Workshops on all topics regarding college preparation.
  3. Workshops on mental health wellness.
  4. Guidance in applying to pre-college summer programs.
  5. Workshops with admission directors nationwide.
  6. Financial aid workshops.
  7. 1:1 advising with seniors.
  8. Alumni lead workshops on navigating the transition from high school to college.
  9. Alumni mentorship program matching mentors with new college freshmen.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: STEP College-Prep Program

STEP College-Prep Program gives students from low income and underrepresented communities the tools they need to close Arizona’s postsecondary educational attainment gap. Students enter the program in their sophomore year of high school and receive one-on-one advising throughout their sophomore, junior and senior years of high school. Topics include: high school courses to take to prepare for the rigor of college, time management, presentation skills, resume writing, building a college list, finding a college that is a good fit, components of a strong college application, applying for on-campus summer programs, mastering the college admission interview and demystifying the financial aid process.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • 96% of STEP graduates are in college or have earned a college degree.
  • 10% are pursuing advanced degrees.
  • 50% of STEP graduates have matriculated at Arizona schools
  • 50% of STEP graduates have matriculated from highly selective out of state schools able to meet their full financial aid needs.

WEBSITE

THE EDGE SCHOOL – 3RD YEAR GRANT- $10,000

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The Edge School serves students with substantial credit deficiencies. Eighty five percent of students who enroll at Edge have math skills at 4th grade or lower, while 65% enroll with English Language Arts skills at the 6th grade or lower. Most enrolled students have experienced trauma at the hands of an adult who was entrusted to care for them.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Stay in School

The Stay in School program focuses on reducing barriers in students’ lives related to mental health that will allow them to continue in their education. The self-paced program is designed to work with students who need additional academic and social emotional support. The program includes:

  1. Identification of barriers to education at enrollment
  2. Connection with an on campus licensed social worker
  3. Daily monitoring of student’s attendance
  4. Crisis counseling intervention
  5. Home visits
  6. Partnering with other Tucson nonprofits to get the student connected

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • Students will stay enrolled in school and have absences less than 10%
  • Increase the number of students served by counselors
  • Increase the number of students who stay connected to counseling organizations
  • Increase the number of students who participate in partner agency programs
  • Increase the number of high school credits per year in school

WEBSITE

TUCSON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – 2ND YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

The Tucson Children’s Museum provides fun, play-based, interactive, hands-on learning experiences for children and their families. The vision is to inspire children and their families to reach their full potential through discovery, creativity and learning.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Adventure Learning Tours and Outreach in Oro Valley

The ALTO program makes museum learning accessible for students in under-represented communities in Southern Arizona. The museum is seeking funding to provide this programming to Head Start pre-school programs in Oro Valley. Tours provide transportation and underwrite admission for children in Head Start programs to attend in-person field trips at the downtown museum location. Museum educators also have the capabilities to bring the Mobile Outreach Vehicle to local Head Start programs. ALTO programs impact educational success, quality of life and development for children by helping them develop cognitive, physical, creative and emotional skills through hands-on interactive play-based activities at their level.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

Programs are evaluated through an outcome-based evaluation model. The model measures the following, qualitatively and quantitatively:

  • On-site tracking of attendees
  • Feedback surveys by educators
  • Observation of engagement in activities by children

WEBSITE

WHEEL FUN – 1ST YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

FUN is a volunteer non-profit that strives to get young people engaged in bike riding after school. The programs are offered at no charge to a diverse range of socioeconomic backgrounds, races and identities that otherwise would be unable to participate.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: Making the Difference in Public Schools

The FUN program promotes the wellbeing of young community members by improving public school students’ emotional, mental and social states, teaching life skills, encouraging physical activity and spending time outdoors. FUN is expanding to school districts in Tucson and Oro Valley with their after school programming. They have partnered with Trek of Oro Valley to offer free cycling equipment.

To participate in FUN’s after school adventure education clubs, students must meet school standards for academics, conduct, attendance and citizenship. Beginning in 2025, FUN high school graduates will be eligible to apply for college scholarships through the organization.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

  • Encourage students to experience a greater sense of obligation to their schoolwork to stay aligned to participating in the bike club
  • Reach more Southern Arizona youth by creating four new clubs in 2023 in the Tucson Area

WEBSITE

YOUTH ON THEIR OWN (YOTO) – 15th YEAR GRANT

AGENCY BACKGROUND

YOTO exists to help address barriers and mitigate the impact of homelessness on students’ education. Operating in 100+ middle and high schools across Pima County, YOTO’s mission is to support the high school graduation and continued success of homeless youth by providing financial assistance, basic human needs and guidance. YOTO serves youth in grades 6-12. 2022 SCCF funding supported 137 YOTO youth with academic stipends, holiday gift stipends, task incentive stipends and bill assistance.

Focus of the 2023 Grant: YOTO Program (Client Services)

The program provides accountability-based financial assistance, basic human needs and guidance to Pima County’s homeless students working towards their high school graduation.

  • Financial Assistance: Youth may earn a monthly stipend up to $220 during the nine month school year by maintaining A’s, B’s or C’s and consistent attendance.
  • Basic Human Needs: YOTO students may obtain material assistance including food, clothing, school supplies and hygiene items weekly at no cost from the YOTO mini-Mall.
  • Guidance: YOTO Program Coordinators and volunteer School Liaisons build trusting, individual relationships with students. They provide ongoing academic support and guidance to homeless youth.

SCCF funding will provide direct student support via monthly stipends, bill assistance, mini-mall material items, transportation assistance and/or gift cards for approximately 80 YOTO students enrolled. These client services are designed to help provide some stability for YOTO students and help to mitigate the impact of homelessness and poverty on their education.

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

As of 12/9/2022, YOTO has served 1062 YOTO youth during the 2022-2023 school year. This is a 20% increase over the same time last year.

YOTO is measuring outcomes by monthly online stipend requests. Active YOTO students are exceeding program outcomes.

  • <25% of enrolled YOTO students have dropped out due to non-attendance
  • 80% achieved at least an 85% monthly attendance record
  • 75% report passing grades in most of their classes each month

WEBSITE