Summer Search

THE MISSION OF SUMMER SEARCH IS TO FIND RESILIENT LOW-INCOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND INSPIRE THEM TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE ALTRUISTIC LEADERS BY PROVIDING YEAR-ROUND MENTORING, SUMMER EXPERIENCES, COLLEGE ADVISING AND A LASTING SUPPORT NETWORK.

SUMMER PLACEMENT AND MENTORING: EACH STUDENT RECEIVES TWO FULL SCHOLARSHIPS TO LIFE-CHANGING SUMMER EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP EXPEDITIONS, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND INTERNSHIPS. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND CONNECTION THROUGH CONCENTRATED EXPERIENCES THAT CHALLENGE AND EMPOWER STUDENTS. THROUGH MENTORING STUDENTS BUILD SUPPORTIVE AND SUSTAINED RELATIONSHIPS WITH FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF MENTORS AND PEERS TO REFLECT ON LIFE EXPERIENCES, ACTIONS, IDENTITIES, AND COMMUNITIES.

STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: SUMMER SEARCH CONDUCTS A STRONG TRAINING EFFORT TO TEACH THE UNIQUELY EFFECTIVE INTERVIEW PROCESS THAT IDENTIFIES STUDENTS THAT HAVE LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL THROUGH AN ORIGINAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MODEL THAT IDENTIFIES THREE CHARACTER METRICS THAT IT HOPES TO CULTIVATE IN YOUNG PEOPLE: RESILIENCY, ALTRUISM, AND PERFORMANCE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING TO STAFF IN ORDER TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE MENTORING SKILLS WHICH CAN HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP RELATIONAL, LEADERSHIP AND RESILIENCY SKILLS. TRAINING IS CONDUCTED YEAR-ROUND THROUGH A SERIES OF INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS DELIVERED IN PERSON BY HIGHLY-TRAINED STAFF AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS.

POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS: SUMMER SEARCH KNOWS THAT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO GET STUDENTS TO COLLEGE, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THEM SO THEY CAN ATTAIN A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND ARE SET UP FOR FUTURE SUCCESS. THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF COLLEGE CAN BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING, PARTICULARLY FOR FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS. FOR THIS REASON, SUMMER SEARCH SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGH THIS TRANSITION, AND OFFERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER READINESS SERVICES SO THEY GRADUATE WITH THE NETWORK, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES NECESSARY TO COMPETITIVELY ENTER THE WORKFORCE. OUR POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS STAFF SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY IN THEIR FIRST TWO YEARS OF COLLEGE (WHEN RISK OF DROP OFFS IS HIGHEST), TO ENSURE THEY ARE PROGRESSING ACADEMICALLY, SECURING FINANCIAL AID, ENGAGING ON CAMPUS, AND ADOPTING EFFECTIVELY.

POST-SECONDARY ACCESS AND ALUMNI SERVICES: THE ORGANIZATION HELPS STUDENTS REALIZE THE BEST EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE BY PROVIDING ONE-ON-ONE COLLEGE AND FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING AND COLLEGE PREPARATION WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THEIR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL. THESE SERVICES ENSURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE THE TOOLS TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS. AN ARRAY OF ALUMNI SERVICES PROVIDE HELP BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE. EXAMPLES INCLUDE NETWORKING SOCIAL EVENTS WITH OTHER ALUMNI AND DONORS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SUCH AS CAREER WORKSHOPS, INTERNSHIPS, AND ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL MENTORS.