SPARK – #GivingTuesday

While doing some fundraising training in Philadelphia last week, I was introduced to an incredibly cool program called Spark.

Spark was founded by a 7th grade science teacher who wanted his students to see why school mattered. The premise is really simple: place 7th and 8th grade students in apprenticeships with people in their community. They’ve placed students in apprenticeships with all sorts of professionals: fire fighters, chefs, pilots, artists, and tech folks.

The results speak for themselves

Spark has grown to serve in students in at-risk neighborhoods in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia. And the results have been phenomenal. Despite very high high-school drop out rates with their peers, 98% of Spark alumni stay in school.

All it takes is a caring adult and the experience of a real job to help students see why school matters.

Three ways you can help

There are three easy ways you can help a Spark program in your community:

1. Make a donation

   Spark says $1,000 makes an apprenticeship possible. You can give any amount toward that at: https://www.sparkprogram.org/index.php/get_involved/donate

2. Become a mentor

   Your work can inspire a kid to stay in school. Spark lets you apply to be a mentor at http://www.sparkprogram.org/index.php/get_involved/volunteer

3. Become a corporate partner

   There are lots of ways your company can support Spark including hosting students, matching employee gifts, and more. See them all at: http://www.sparkprogram.org/index.php/get_involved/corporate_partnership

   Learn more

   To learn more about how the Spark Program is helping students go to their website www.sparkprogram.orgor watch their brief video on the Spark: Creating Real-World Opportunities for Youth with Apprenticeships:
   

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