THE STEPPINGSTONE FOUNDATION
alumni news
SPRING 2015
When Mr. Danziger and Mr. Simon founded Steppingstone 25 years ago, their goal was to connect bright, motivated students with educational opportunities that would lead to college. The first class was small––only 14 Scholars––and Mr. D doubled as bus driver and English teacher. The program’s short-term focus was to prepare these 14 Scholars to get into independent schools in the seventh grade; the long-term goal was to provide the academic, social-emotional, and college readiness services that would lead to success in college and beyond.
José Vega ’95 and Kelly Glew, President
Fast forward 25 years and Steppingstone looks a little different. Most Scholars actually attend one of Boston’s three public exam schools, and the program has been replicated in Philadelphia and Hartford. Our National Partnership for Educational Access supports the success of 300 college access programs across the country. And in 2011, Steppingstone launched the College Success Academy to strengthen the college pipeline for Boston public school students, providing the same high quality program services that we’re known for, beginning in fifth grade and continuing through college graduation. There are now more than 1,600 Steppingstone Scholars in Boston (not to mention hundreds of Scholars in Philadelphia and Hartford!). While a lot has changed, the core elements of Steppingstone remain constant: High expectations. Hardworking students. Dedicated staff and teachers. Committed partner schools. But the true measure of Steppingstone’s success is not the number of students we serve or how many cities we are in. It’s you. Watching all of you set goals at such a young age and then work so hard over the years to achieve them is truly inspiring. Alumni Scholars are teachers and doctors and lawyers; you create art and work in finance and lead non-profits; you’re raising children and volunteering in your communities and just making the world a better place. Alumni Scholars give back to Steppingstone in so many important ways, too: as teachers, mentors, staff members, and donors, while also serving on our Alumni Council, Board of Directors, and Board of Ambassadors. Your continued support and involvement is the true measure of Steppingstone’s success. I cannot wait to see what the next 25 years brings. One thing I know for sure is that you will continue to amaze and inspire us. Kelly Glew President