YouthWorks
College Bound
YouthWorks is a long standing, federally funded, work readiness program. In 1999, Philadelphia Futures persuaded YouthWorks funders that a campus-based academic experience for high school students is an effective workforce development strategy. Thus, YouthWorks College Bound (YWCB) was born. Designed to strengthen students’ academic skills and college motivation, YWCB provides year-round academic enrichment to students from Philadelphia’s comprehensive public high schools.
In 2007–2008, Philadelphia Futures will partner with four area colleges to provide a variety of programs to over 142 students. During the summer, students receive a weekly stipend and may receive credit toward their high school graduation for completing a multi-disciplinary academic project.
2007 YouthWorks College Bound partners:
- Drexel University
- Eastern University
- Haverford College
- Holy Family University
Since 1999, YWCB has served over 4,500 students and has become a model for addressing work force development through building academic skills. The Philadelphia Youth Network provides funding for YouthWorks College Bound.
If you are interested in forming a partnership with Philadelphia Futures for YouthWorks College-Bound, please contact Joan Mazzotti by email or by telephone at 215.790.1666, Ext. 18.
College Guide for High School Students
Philadelphia Futures produces a unique resource, updated annually, for high school students in the City of Philadelphia. Step Up to College: Philadelphia’s Guide to the College Preparation, Application, Admissions & Financial Aid Process addresses the importance and feasability of obtaining a college degree, and provides resources and practical information to assist students and their families in planning for and being admitted to college. Philadelphia Futures distributes over 70,000 copies of the Guide, free of charge, to public, parochial, and charter school students in Philadelphia. Copies are also available in libraries, and from legislative offices and community-based organizations.
Customized Scholarship and Awards Programs
Philadelphia Futures will work with businesses, individuals and other organizations to create customized scholarship and awards programs that recognize and reward college-bound high school students in Philadelphia for academic performance. For example, each year, Philadelphia Futures provides its expertise to the Eagles Youth Partnership by assisting in the administration of the Eagles Top Achiever Awards.
The Eagles Top Achiever Awards are presented annually by the Eagles Youth Partnership to high school football players in the Philadelphia region who maintain a 3.0 GPA or above. More than 830 scholar-athletes have been recognized since the Program’s inception in 1997. Winners are honored at a reception with Eagles’ Owner Jeffrey Lurie, Coach Andy Reid, and Eagles players. In addition, students with the highest GPA from each participating school were invited to visit Eagles Summer Training Camp, where they were treated like MVPs.
If you are interested in working with Philadelphia Futures to develop a scholarship or awards program, please contact Leslie Ryan by email or by telephone at 215.790.1666, Ext. 22.
