This month I have been knee deep in setting up a streamlined process to get kiddos signed up for the SEED Success program. SEED is a local nonprofit that seeks to help children at the poverty level attend college OR start up businesses. Many of the staff members have had the training but they needed a streamlined method.
Here is a blurb from their website: Here at SEED Success, we know that sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little support. Since our founding in 2000, we have been determined to make an impact. The core of our efforts is to bring our team’s fresh ideas and passion to the range of activities we’re involved in. Through all of our endeavors we hope to display the conviction behind our beliefs.
SEED Success is committed to universal youth asset building, creating opportunity for post-secondary education, ownership, and economic opportunity. SEED = Student Educational and Economic Development! Research has demonstrated that Children’s Development Accounts (CDA’s) improve how a child thinks about his/her future and their academic performance. When there is access to savings accounts, encouragement, and comprehensive financial education, a family’s outlook becomes more aspirational. When youth have as little as $500 saved for education they are 3X more likely to attend college. A comprehensive strategy for promoting asset building in schools will empower families to plan for their futures.
SEED is backed by local businesses who invest in the children in our area. When a child signs up, an initial deposit of $50 starts the ball rolling. The child is then rewarded for good attendance and for parents attending parent/teacher meetings. If the child has a personal savings account, there is a 50% match added to the SEED account. What a way to encourage the family about college!
On my end, I made sure that our staff is educated and has the tools that they need to quickly sign up children. I also reached out to educate our regular volunteers for the "Open House" event; Mondays and Fridays see a high volume of friends coming through to get help with anything from sorting junk mail to paperwork. I have a handy form printed and stored in an easily accessible location. Staff and volunteers can grab the form and then leave it for someone to complete the online registration.
I love this program and it excites me to see children sign up! How exciting it must be to a refugee family when they get their quarterly statement about the SEED account's growth.
And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 1:22 KJV
Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities at City of Refuge.
All opinions expressed here are solely mine and are not a reflection of the opinions of the Americorps VISTA
program or of City of Refuge in Columbia, MO.
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