Destination Destiny Launches New Relational Activities To Increase College Graduation Rate Of Southside Students – D3 College Collaboration
CHICAGO, IL. – January 16, 2018 – Destination Destiny today announces it is scaling its successful high school relational activities where 100% of participants since 2005 have graduated high school and gone on to college. Destination Destiny will extend its support of students as they matriculate in, to, and through college to achieve a 100% college graduation rate. This is achieved by providing a consistent, long-term adult presence as a young person’s life mentor who can offer advice, share life experiences, and help a young person navigate college challenges.
Studies and evidence based evaluations of youth mentoring programs have provided concrete documentation of the positive outcomes of having non-parental caring adults in a student’s life to serve as role models and guides beyond high school.
David Byrd, CEO of Destination Destiny says, “We focus on relationship building activities instead of programs because, by their nature, programs have a start and end date. Young people need long term relationships that show concern for their well being, answers the why you care question and allows trust to develop.”
Destination Destiny staff and volunteers will continue the relationships developed with students who participate in the international Study Beyond trip. They will support these students throughout their collegiate career by providing a college mentor that is available to walk life along side students; providing monthly communication and care packages; providing financial support to assist with incidentals; offer campus visits from Destination Destiny volunteers or staff and connecting students with summer enrichment or employment opportunities based on their career pursuit. Ultimately, we connect students to personal growth and development as well as social and economic opportunity.
“Students’ going away to college need both academic and socio-emotion support. To ensure the success of this relational activity, parents, students and volunteer staff will collaboratively support the students’ collegiate career,” says Byrd.