Throughout our high school program, students continue to receive individual mentoring, opportunities for college visits and career panels, mental health support, and college and career readiness education-- all focused on closing the opportunity gap. Our high school program also include professional college/career advising and scholarship opportunities. Staff continue to partner with families and offer quarterly family nights.
Mentors receive ongoing training and support and also participate in individual goal-setting.
Measurable program goals and outcomes include:
Improved grades: This occurs through participants' increased use of after school help days, Power School, and linkage to resources for challenge areas (e.g., study skills, homework completion, math). Mentors also nurture and encourage academic success.
Increased participation in positive extracurricular activities aligned with student interest: This occurs through personalized goal setting, scholarships obtained/coordinated by Charting Careers, and transportation provided through background-checked volunteers and staff.
Increased protective factors and reduced risk factors: This is accomplished by Charting Careers bringing in partners who provide research-based, youth development programming on a variety of topics including relationship skills, healthy decision making, drug refusal skills, pregnancy prevention, etc. Protective factors are also enhanced through the provision of individual mentoring. Through collaboration with Annapolis High School, programming is provided weekly during the school day and as needed during after-school and weekend hours.
Obtainment of a paid job or unpaid internship: Charting Careers staff and volunteers help each participant identify a paid job or unpaid internship they would like to secure once they turn 16. Programming focuses on creating a plan to ensure success, including identification of personal strengths, interviewing skills, and an accessible location. Once the job or internship is obtained, mentors and staff help youth work through challenges as they emerge.
Graduate from high school and initiate the success plan they created through Charting Careers. This can include community college, 4-year college, certificate program, military, or a paid job that matches the youth's areas of career interest. Charting Careers staff and volunteers develop partnerships with local businesses and internships, bring youth to local career fairs, take students on college tours, and assist with college and job applications. Through mentoring and peer relationships, participants develop new social networks.
