Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Northbridge College Success Program
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Bridgeway College Success Program; NorthBridge Arizona College Success Program
Mailing Address: 7600 N. 15th St., Ste. 150
City: PHOENIX
State: AZ
Postal Code: 85020-4327
Main Phone: 401-321-4059
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.northbridgeaz.org
Employer ID Number: 47-1080353
Organization Tax Status: 501 c(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 7-5-2023
Requested Amount: 10,000.00

Project Title: NorthBridge Foster Youth College and Career Program
Project Description:

School completion data for foster youth averages 46%, with 3.5% receiving their GED. The instability of shuttling from home to often abusive home, causes trauma, resulting in 34% of foster youth abusing substances, and only 3% graduating college. Half of aged-out foster youth end up in prison after their first year. Homelessness and the chaos that ensues become the norm. NorthBridge (NB) uses Coaches with Bachelor’s Degrees who mentor youth with learning differences in schoolwork and executive functioning skills. Learning differences include any learning dysfunction caused by trauma. Coaches instill stability and trust by being each youth’s consistent, personal mentor who works with them one-on-one. Mentors are trained to handle any contingencies and behavioral issues. They meet at least once a week in safe, neutral locations, including campus and public libraries. The project includes working to help each foster youth achieve independence. Job and career development is the road to independence with college being only one path to take. Some of the youth may want to attend college, while others want to find a job or work as an apprentice, gaining a job skill. Each of these young people learns executive functioning skills, which include appropriate communication, organization, time management, etc. Coaching sessions become safe areas where youth talk over issues that come up. They learn how to handle situations that trouble them. What they receive from the mentor is the support and consistency that was denied them in their often unstable home situations.

Total Project Budget: $20,000.00

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Project Duration: one year for pilot program – 2024 to 2025.
Geographical Area Served: Maricopa County, Arizona
Age Group To Be Served: 14 to 21.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Carol
Contact Last Name: Papalas
Contact Title: AmeriCorps Member/Grant Writer
Contact Phone: 401-321-4059
Contact Email: cpapalas@northbridgeaz.org