Program Spotlight: Sponsorship & Mentorship
In today's world, education is essential to succeed in life. However, not all teens have equal access to educational opportunities, particularly those from low-income families. These teens may struggle with financial barriers that prevent them from accessing their full academic, athletic, and artistic potential. Our Financial Sponsorship and Mentorship Program helps under-resourced and driven teens overcome these barriers.
Our Financial Sponsorship and Mentorship Program is dedicated to raising and distributing funds to under-resourced teens through a teen sponsorship program. A Bridge for Kids works with most high schools and youth-based organizations in San Diego, interviewing hundreds of students each year to identify high-achieving, low-income students with potential in academics, athletics, and/or the arts. Once a student is selected, we begin the process of matching that student with a sponsor who provides financial support of at least $1,000.
The financial support provided by sponsors can be used to purchase items related to academics, athletics, and/or the arts. The funds are intended to help under-resourced teens access programs and activities that they may not have otherwise been able to afford. Additionally, once the sponsorship begins, students are immediately eligible to participate in all of A Bridge for Kids’ many programs, including SAT/ACT preparatory classes, college tours, academic and standardized test tutoring, access to professional resume writers, and help with college applications. Furthermore, students receive a laptop if they do not already have one, allowing them to stay connected with their education.
The Financial Sponsorship and Mentorship Program has impacted over 900 low-income and high-achieving teens in San Diego since 2012. The program provides financial support to cover the cost of educational opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many teens, allowing them to excel in their academics, athletics, and artistic pursuits. Mentorship is also a critical component of the program, as mentors help students navigate the challenges of their academic journeys and provide them with guidance and support along the way.
Thanks to over $100,000 in grants this year, we can increase the number of students we can invite into the organization each year. These grants allow us to allocate mentors to teens without the mentors having to pay for their sponsorship. This creates a full-circle experience for ABFK Alumni who have benefitted from the program and are now in a position to help mentor teens of their own.
The Financial Sponsorship and Mentorship Program has proven to be effective in changing the lives of under-resourced teens in San Diego. The program provides vital financial support and mentorship to teens who would not otherwise have access to these opportunities. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of San Diego's teens. If you would like more information about how to sponsor or mentor an A Bridge for Kids teen please contact Grace Jo @ gjo@abridgeforkids.org.