Scholar Empowerment

At Charting Careers, we believe every young person has strengths, talents, and dreams. Our role is to walk alongside scholars as they discover their strengths and power, set meaningful goals, and build the skills, relationships, and experiences needed to thrive.

From elementary school through college and career pathways, Scholar Empowerment goes beyond academics. Through goal setting, individualized coaching, enrichment opportunities, wellness activities, tutoring, career exploration, and caring relationships, scholars develop confidence, resilience, and a vision for their future.

What We Do

  • 🎯 Goal Setting & Future Planning – Every scholar creates meaningful goals connected to academics/career readiness, personal growth, and their unique strengths and interests. Staff and mentors provide encouragement, guidance, and support as scholars take steps toward achieving their goals.

  • 📚 Academic Coaching & Skill-Building – Scholars receive individualized support to understand their strengths as learners, build effective habits, monitor progress, and advocate for their own learning. Support includes tutoring, grade review, organization, time management, and executive functioning skill development.

  • 🌱 Wellness & Personal Growth – Scholars build protective factors and lifelong skills including self-awareness, healthy decision-making, communication, perseverance, leadership, confidence, and hope for the future.

  • 🎓 Future Pathways & Career Exploration – Through career conversations, workplace experiences, college visits, workshops, and connections with professionals, scholars explore possibilities and discover pathways aligned with their interests and strengths.

  • 🎨 Enrichment & Opportunity Access – We connect scholars with experiences that spark curiosity, develop talents, and expand their world—including arts, culture, STEM, nature, leadership, service, and community opportunities.

Grade-Level Pathways

Charting Careers provides long-term support that grows with scholars from elementary school into adulthood.

📘Elementary (Grades 2–5)

Elementary scholars focus on discovering their strengths, developing foundational skills, and building confidence as learners and leaders.

Through weekly after-school programming, school-based support, tutoring, wellness activities, enrichment experiences, and family partnership, scholars build a strong foundation for future success. Activities encourage curiosity, creativity, positive relationships, and a love of learning.

Focus Areas:

  • Building confidence and a positive learner identity

  • Strengthening literacy and academic skills

  • Practicing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving

  • Exploring interests through enrichment and hands-on experiences

  • Setting and achieving meaningful goals

🎒Middle School (Grades 6–8)

Middle school is a time of growth, identity development, and exploration. Charting Careers helps scholars strengthen independence, discover interests, and prepare for high school and future opportunities.

Scholars receive academic coaching, participate in enrichment and leadership opportunities, explore careers, and develop wellness and self-advocacy skills.

Focus Areas:

  • Strengthening organization, planning, and executive functioning skills

  • Increasing academic ownership and confidence

  • Developing leadership and healthy decision-making skills

  • Exploring career pathways and future possibilities

  • Building strong relationships with mentors and supportive adults

🎓High School (Grades 9–12)

High school scholars focus on building independence, achieving goals, and preparing for life after graduation.

Through individualized coaching, mentoring, academic support, career exploration, leadership opportunities, and wellness development, scholars create a plan for their future and build the skills needed to achieve it.

Focus Areas:

  • Creating and achieving academic, personal, and career goals

  • Developing leadership, self-advocacy, and life skills

  • Exploring college, career, military, and training pathways

  • Participating in internships, job experiences, and career connections

  • Preparing for a successful transition beyond high school

🚀 Launch & Beyond (Senior Year & Post-High School)

Our commitment does not end at graduation. Launch & Beyond provides continued connection and support as scholars navigate college, careers, training programs, military pathways, and early adulthood.

Scholars receive coaching, mentorship, and resources to help them navigate transitions, celebrate successes, and continue moving toward their goals.

Focus Areas:

  • Completing individualized post-secondary plans

  • Navigating college, career training, employment, or military pathways

  • Accessing scholarships, financial aid, and resources

  • Building independence, wellness, and life skills

  • Maintaining a lifelong network of support

🎓Scholarships & Goal Fund

Charting Careers believes financial barriers should not prevent scholars from pursuing opportunities connected to their goals. Scholarships provide support for graduates pursuing college, vocational training, certifications, or other post-secondary pathways. The Goal Fund helps scholars access meaningful opportunities such as camps, enrichment activities, certifications, leadership experiences, and special projects connected to their dreams.

Measures of Success

  • 🌟 Scholars discover their strengths and develop confidence in their abilities

  • 🎯 Scholars set and achieve meaningful academic, personal, and career goals

  • 🤝 Scholars build meaningful relationships with mentors, staff, and other trusted adults

  • 📚 Scholars strengthen academic skills and future readiness
    🌱 Scholars demonstrate growth in wellness, leadership, and self-advocacy

  • 🎓 100% of graduating seniors complete high school with a plan for their next step

  • 🚀 Scholars remain connected to a supportive community beyond graduation

💡 These supports build on our mentoring and goal-setting work, helping scholars take real, concrete steps toward their futures.