SUMMER SEARCH BOSTON
2021 IMPACT REPORT
A YEAR IN REVIEW
Throughout a year marked by disruption, uncertainty, and hardship, at Summer Search Boston we worked to reach out to our students, address their evolving needs, and support their resiliency. We served over 1,000 young people in 2021 between our high school and post-secondary programs. Most importantly, we continued to do what we do best and follow through on the 7-9 year commitment we make to students when they join sophomore year of high school. Follow along as we share this year’s story along the Summer Search Journey.
THE SUMMER SEARCH JOURNEY
>> HIGH SCHOOL
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, mentoring continued to be successfully conducted virtually via phone, Zoom, and texting. Mentoring is the cornerstone of our program model. Our staff mentors help our students to integrate what they learn from their experiences and provide practical support to help them define and pursue their goals. Our model alternates between individual 1 on 1 mentoring with peer groups every other week. All of our staff mentors are trained in group facilitation and in specific curriculum modules.
Check out our mentor-student shout out video!
In 2021, we served 92% of our new sophomore students with group mentoring. We have developed curriculum for each grade level cohort tailored to their needs: identity development, post-secondary pathways, career exploration, financial literacy, and other practical skill development. “We’ve leaned on each other this past year. Our group sessions are a space to gain a better outlook on other people’s perspectives--- how they deal and manage to go on-- through all that is happening. This is so helpful. It also has sparked a desire to reach out more in my community.” – Novally, Summer Search student and group mentoring participant
343
STUDENTS SERVED
98%
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Our student ambassadors - a group of 7 Summer Search students - continued to work hard to find connection and joy during a remote and challenging year for many. In the spring, they planned and hosted a virtual game night for Summer Searchers to de-stress, enjoy each other’s company and maintain good mental health.
Students participating in a Group Mentoring activity where they choose an object from their home that is important to them and share why.
>> SUMMER PROGRAMMING
As we planned programs for the summer of 2021, we listened to our students needs and interests in light of the current situation. For example, the economic impacts of the pandemic have resulted in more students needing to work to help out their families making summer trip options more limited for them. On the other hand, others felt ready to explore and get away after a year of isolation. By incorporating student voice and leveraging key longstanding partnerships with our summer program providers, we prepared for multiple scenarios and were able to offer a wide range of summer experiences: wilderness trips within driving distance, paid virtual programs, academic programs and paid internships. A total of 129 students completed summer experiences in 2021: 65% of students attended in-person experiences, while 35% participated in virtual experiences. “During our wilderness trip, we faced some difficult tasks that pushed our team building and leadership skills. Before we started the 14-day backpacking hike to Whiteface Mountain, it was very difficult for me to ask for help. There were times I pushed myself to do everything. But after this trip I learned that it’s ok to ask for help and I learned how to be a team player.” – Jeny, Summer Search student who attended an all-girl’s NOLS trip in the Adirondack State Park
65% IN PERSON
Students canoeing at Cushing Academy.
35% VIRTUAL
A student’s art project for the Environmental Justice Brigade virtual program.
Summer Searchers exploring the Appalachian Trail.
>> POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM
Our Post-Secondary program – beginning in the senior year of high school – provides individualized post-secondary pathway exploration, financial aid advising, and practical supports to ensure participants have freedom of choice and affordable post-secondary options. After high school, participants have access to dedicated staff, alumni, board, and corporate partners for professional development opportunities, including career coaching, job shadow days, internships, and targeted job opportunities. In 2021, we grew our group mentoring to serve high school seniors, and expanded on our career readiness and financial stability offerings. We developed new internship partnerships with companies such as Salary.com and PlatformQ and partnered with the CFA Society whose volunteers provided two virtual financial literacy/ personal finance workshops to our participants.
661
STUDENTS SERVED
96%
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE
88%
67%
COLLEGE MATRICULATION COLLEGE GRADUATION EAST COAST REGIONAL CAREER CONFERENCE
Taking advantage of the remote world, the Boston, New York and Philadelphia teams got together to host a one-day regional career conference for Summer Search Post-Secondary participants. The day consisted of keynote speakers, two concurrent breakout sessions with two workshops each, a career panel moderated by a NYC Alumna and an industry networking hour with five different industries. Attendees were also able to sign up for individual resume, cover letter and interviewing coaching sessions. “I gained many insights on what it is like to have a purpose in attaining the career path we want. I enjoyed hearing from such interesting panelists and hosts.” - Conference Attendee
U C HB
In February, Summer Search Boston’s Post Secondary team co-hosted (with Philadelphia and NYC sites) an event for students to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The event featured a panel with Summer Searchers who attend or have graduated from HBCUs who spoke about their experiences. Following the panel were admission sessions with Spelman College, Hampton University and Paul Quinn College.
>> ALUMNI
Check out a video Summer Search Alumni (1,341 and counting!) are engaged with current Summer Search participants, helping on CONNECT.
to nurture the next generation of leaders. With the launch of CONNECT last fall, alumni are able to not only access current Summer Searchers in need of support, but also find connections to help advance their own careers. The Summer Search Boston Alumni Board continues to contribute in a variety of ways in support of current students and families, including a Thanksgiving food drive and a scholarship for post-secondary participants.
“The following quote speaks to this current chapter of my life: “[We must have] a radical re-imagination for who we might become.” This pandemic has pushed me to redefine success for myself and for my students, how I partake in self-care, express gratitude to those around me, give myself grace when I make mistakes and to think outside of the box for solutions to the issues that my community faces. My Summer Search journey still continues to this day as I face new obstacles and challenges. However, I am better equipped to seek out new mentors, ask bold questions, have a greater sense of self and a new imagination for who I might become.” - Kati, Summer Search Alumna and Teach for America Corps Member
ALUMNI BOARD SCHOLARSHIP
For the second year in a row, the Summer Search Boston Alumni board raised money for scholarships for high school seniors and post-secondary students. Billy, Alisa, Julia and Darla were each awarded $2,500!
ALUMNI FOOD DRIVE The weekend before Thanksgiving 2020 the Alumni Board organized a food drive, gathering donations from other Alumni, friends and the Associate Board. In the end they were able to purchase turkeys and provide bags of food for over twenty families for their Thanksgiving dinner. An especially sweet treat at the end of a long, and challenging year for many.
>> EMERGENCY SUPPORT In March 2020 when the pandemic hit and the economy came to a halt disproportionately impacting the low-income families of color we serve, we saw a new and immediate need for emergency funding for Summer Search students and their families. With an anchor gift from the Liberty Mutual Foundation, we quickly launched the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to provide low-barrier, urgent funding for essential goods and services to those impacted in our community. The majority of funding went to purchase grocery store gift cards and pay utilities and rent.
$74,846
IN COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUNDING HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED SINCE MARCH 2020 Emergency Fund
200+ Families
Thanks to our community of supporters we were able to distribute funds to more than 200 families. Although in many cases the support was small, its impact was large. To be able to address an unforeseen expense and not set off an unraveling of debt helps to keep a student on track to achieve their goals.
“At a time like this, it is good to feel cared for and have support,so thank you so much.” - Emergency Fund Applicant
$6,602 OTHER $14,925 RENT & UTILITIES
$21,548 GROCERIES
$31,771 BILLS - MEDICAL, WIFI, PHONE ETC.
>> VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Board Of Directors JEFF DORIGAN, CHAIR TONY BRINEY MEG CLOUGH TJ DOUGLAS BRANDY FLUKER OAKLEY ANTONIO GUTIERREZ* BRIAN KINNEY CHRISTINE KOMOLA EMEKA LINTON RIC MARX KATHRIN MIDGLEY JAMEY MOCK
TROY NEWMAN DAVID O’CONNOR ALISON POORVU JAFFE YARENI SANCHEZ MARIE SCHWARTZ ELLEN SEGAL GAVIN SMITH FREDERICKA (FREDI) STEVENSON, Founding Board Chair
Leadership Council HELENE LAPMAN, CO-CHAIR MICHELLE LA FLEUR, CO-CHAIR TRICIA BLANK MARCELLA BOELHOUWER DANA BROWN SUZANNE CARTER NINA COSLOV TEYANA CURRAN NISHA DUBOIS DERRICK DUPLESSY* EMILY EDWARDS SUSAN EHRLICH ALEJANDRO EPSTEIN-SANTOYO* NANCY HSIUNG JOE JACKSON JOANNA JACOBSON RALPH JAMES MATT LAPIDES *Summer Search Alumnus
SARAH LAPIDES SHARON MCNALLY JO FRANCES MEYER LIZA MEYERHARDT DALE MNOOKIN ELIZABETH MUNRO PAT MURRAY TROY MURRAY ALESSANDRO PAGANI GRETCHEN PFUETZE AYANNA PRESSLEY CAROL REILING LESLIE RIEDEL DENISE RODRIGUES, ’01 * NICK ROSENBERG JEFF SHAMES MARK SMITH MARJORIE STANZLER
ANDY STEVENSON GREGG STONE TORI STUART PETER TARR AMEE TEJANI DEBORAH THAXTER COREY THOMAS JOANNA TRAVIS ARMANI WHITE* ANGEL WILLIAMS STEPHEN WOLFBERG
Alumni Board
ABDELHAK BALATRECHE, CO-CHAIR RACHELLE PIERRE, CO-CHAIR JOYCE PROFILE COURTNEY MOORE BREYLIS RODRIGUEZ DENISE PEGUERO TOMMY TRAN
Associate Board JAIME BZDYRA, CO-CHAIR EMMIE MONSEIN, CO-CHAIR JAY THORPE, CO-CHAIR AOUATIF ANSARI MIKE ANTONELLIS THEO BERNDT LIZ BRADLEY COLLEEN COLLINS RONALD GERMÁN* PETER JENNINGS AMANDA LEE RACHAEL LEE
STETSON MARSHALL KIRSTEN MARTIN CHRIS MARTINSON JULIE MCCARRON DESMOND MCHUGH MICHAEL MORRISON CAROLINA NEVAREZ HIB SCHENCK ESTER TOKATLYAN TAYLOR WELSH PATRICK WOLFF
>> STATISTICS DEFINITIONS DEFINITIONS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE
SUMMER SEARCHER DEMOGRAPHICS
High School and Post-Secondary Participants
Percentage of students who graduated high school on time.
92% First Generation College
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE
Median household income is $29,918
93% Qualify for free or reduced lunch
Percentage of high school seniors who graduated who were accepted to a 2 or 4 year college institution.
62% Female
COLLEGE MATRICULATION RATE
<1% Non-binary
Percentage of those who graduated from high school and matriculated in the fall following their high school graduation.
COLLEGE GRADUATION RATE
Percentage of students who were accepted to college and earned a Bachelor’s degree within six years of high school. Includes high school graduates from 2006 to 2015.
38% Male 36% Hispanic/Latino 31% Black/African American 19% Asian 10% Multi-Racial / Other 3% White
THANK YOU x7!
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