I'll running in the Napa Valley Women's Half Marathon on March 24th. I've decided to use this race as an opporunity to fundraise for a cause near and dear to my heart––the SMART program! I got connected with SMART a few years ago because I've had a few students at my school come through the program. In 2017, I started volunteering on a weekly basis as a one-on-one tutor with a student.
On my page, you will see pictures of me and the student I tutor every week. She is a low income student who lives in the neighborhood right next to mine. English is her second language. In the year and a half that we've worked together, I've seen her grow immensely in her writing, organization, and motivation. I'm very impressed by the work that SMART does to support students.
All of the money raised here will go DIRECTLY to supporting SMART's programs for San Francisco's most in-need residents...families making less than 50K a year in the most expensive city in the US. Thanks in advance...I'm excited to see what we can raise when we come together!
Here's some more information on the SMART program as detailed from their fundraising page:
SMART is a comprehensive eight-year program that provides low-income students in San Francisco access to an exceptional education and the skills needed to thrive in college and in life. SMART’s vision is to end the cycle of poverty in San Francisco by providing students and families financial, academic, and social emotional support, as well as college preparation and career exploration.
Currently, only 9% of low-income students graduate with a bachelor's degree. Moreover, only 21% of low-income students who enter college will graduate within six years.
SMART's impact on college achievement is clear: Since launching our College Achievement Program in 2011, 100% of SMART Scholars have graduated high school and enrolled in college, compared to a 78% high school graduation rate in California and a nationwide 48% college matriculation rate of their low-income peers. Furthermore, while only 21% of low-income students who enter college will graduate within 6 years, SMART Scholars are currently persisting in college at a rate of over 80%.
At SMART, we are working to reverse educational disparities by preparing our Scholars for college and career success. We are working to build a brighter, more equitable and inclusive future.
