About The Program
Boys & Girls Club’s Future Grads program supports students to and through college graduation. Our students receive counseling for applications, financial aid forms, and college selection. They also develop social-emotional skills, including how to ask for help, access resources, and build support networks. The program begins in the summer before 10th grade through college graduation.
What Makes Us Unique
- Post-secondary support to and through graduation: Once in college, Future Grads students continue to receive individualized coaching through graduation.
- No academic eligibility criteria to be part of the program: Future Grads is open to any 9th grade student at our partner high schools, Live Oak & Sobrato High School, in Morgan Hill.
- Financial Literacy help for families and caregivers
- Transportation support
- Bilingual Spanish & English support
The Challenge
Many students want to go to college, but don’t know where to start. First generation college students, such as those served by Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley, often lack access to the support needed to navigate the complex college application, financing, and enrollment process.
What often stands between students and college success is access to caring, long-term, family-based college counseling that is attuned to the unique cultural characteristics of traditionally underserved and first-generation college students.
The Pathway
Participation in Future Grads starts with The Future Grads Summer Academy, a fun and interactive, week-long experience designed to introduce students to the value of a college education and build life skills that will support their success in high school, college, and beyond. Meanwhile, parents learn about financial resources to help pay for college. These lessons are fortified throughout the students’ high school careers. In monthly lunch and after school meetings, students build peer and staff relationships and develop a college-going mindset. Meanwhile, parents receive education and support through workshops that address concerns. Once in college, Future Grads students continue to receive individualized coaching through graduation.
Let’s Make Things Happen.
For more information about Future Grads program and opportunities, contact Jessica Ruiz at 408.649.5568 or [email protected], or Kristi Cole at 408.877.6485 or [email protected].