This holiday season we reflect on what drives us forward throughout the year, and we extend gratitude for all who invest in us. Fifty-percent. That's how many of the students in East Point and College Park graduate from high school. At Future Foundation, we've doubled that average. In our first decade, we ensured that 100% of our students graduated, despite poorly performing high schools, and went on to post-secondary institutions. That's one way we're bridging gaps between dreams and reality - and combatting daunting statistics through our core programs. To view in entirety, click here. Just as we've improved graduation rates, we're serious about addressing poverty - and … [Read more...] about It’s about connectedness this holiday season – and every day.
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Join Future Foundation’s 100% Circle this Georgia Gives Day, November 12
Future Foundation closes the gap between dreams and reality for 1500 Atlanta youth and families living in poverty each year. Though surrounded by challenges like substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and community violence, 100% of Future Foundation’s teen participants have graduated from high school since 2007. A full 100% went on to post-secondary education. One hundred percent. It is worth repeating. Future Foundation’s model to empower youth to dream about, invest in, and prepare for their futures WORKS. You have asked how to get involved in this good work. Therefore, we invite you – and the Atlanta community – to become a founding member of the 100% Circle. 100% Circle launches on … [Read more...] about Join Future Foundation’s 100% Circle this Georgia Gives Day, November 12
Dreams vs. Reality
My heart has been heavy this week as I learned about the consecutive killings of two South Fulton students due to senseless violence. One of those students, Benson West, was a freshmen at Banneker High School and participating in our RealTalk ATL Program. I never met Benson, but I learned from our team this morning he was quiet in class, it was clear he was struggling with something, and recently asked about our College4Careers Program. Hearing about Benson's inquiry eerily illustrated for me the gap between the dreams and the realities facing our youth living in impossible situations due to violence and poverty. Above are pictures I received this week of students at Banneker High School … [Read more...] about Dreams vs. Reality
Community Circles build teams, fight bullying
If you want to make a large impact in society, start in your own community. That’s one of the lessons rising 6th and 7th graders get during our Community Circles exercises, which begin each day of summer program. The 30-minute Community Circles focus on topics that aren’t typically addressed in school. “Students at this age are curious about a lot of different things,” said lead teacher Johnathan Reaves. “And, since our facilitators are not that much older than the students themselves, the students often find they can relate to them better.” A recent Community Circles discussion compared the church shooting in Charleston to the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. … [Read more...] about Community Circles build teams, fight bullying
Selling yourself in 30 seconds or less
An elevator pitch or speech is very short, persuasive and designed to create interest in a project, idea, product—or even yourself. According to MindTools, a good elevator speech should be interesting, memorable, and succinct. It needs to explain what makes you unique. And it should be no longer than a short elevator ride—20 to 30 seconds. Believing that self-empowerment starts with self-confidence, we have been using elevator speeches as part of our summer program curriculum. It all starts by working with the students to help them define themselves. That includes using gratitude journals that students use to write about what they’re grateful for and self-esteem journals that contain … [Read more...] about Selling yourself in 30 seconds or less
STEAM Careers Realized
This summer, our older students participated in an innovative eight-week “Maker Model” program at the Opportunity Hub (OHUB). The program emphasizes the importance of allowing students to create products that solve real-world problems. The new [email protected] Innovation Campus is a joint venture with Herman J. Russell that offers over 4,300 square feet of communal and collaborative co-working. The STEAM Career & Work Readiness Summer Start-Up Program is a comprehensive training and support program for 8th through 12th grade students. It’s an extension of our Summer Youth Intern Workforce program, which provides internship opportunities as a participation incentive for older youth in Future … [Read more...] about STEAM Careers Realized