READINESS

The Stewpot’s Children, Youth, and Family (CYF) Program helps children and youth living in poverty build a solid foundation from which to grow and develop into adults with choices and opportunities. Since the program began, a key focus has been supporting children and youth academically from first to twelfth grade and setting them up for success in college or vocational school. The program provides higher education scholarships; qualifying students can receive $2,000 a year for up to five years! The financial hurdle is major, but so are the many questions that come with the college and career exploration process.

To bridge this gap, the CYF program hired a full-time College and Career Readiness Coordinator in November. The coordinator pairs current Stewpot students with mentors to provide them with a personalized environment to meet their individual goals. Alumni of the Stewpot Children and Youth program will serve as mentors, as well as external volunteers and partners. We plan to use connections such as Leadership Dallas groups, corporate volunteer groups, and church members as mentors. These relationships are invaluable to our students for networking, career advice, internship opportunities, and job shadowing placements.

Gissell, class of 2022, who grew up coming to The Stewpot’s Children + Youth program, started at Harvard University in Fall 2022.

Edgar was a prime candidate for our Rapid Rehousing program, and The Stewpot helped him find a home in early 2022.