Articles
AIM High
In May 2007, Center for Companies That Care launched a ground-breaking student mentoring initiative to ensure that 100% of participating students will graduate from high school, enter college, graduate from college, and gain the skills needed to succeed in tomorrow’s workplace.
Employers, whether public or private, for- or not- for- profit will benefit from this initiative, and are needed now to join the ranks of program sponsors and mentors.
THE COMMUNITY PROBLEM: KIDS PREPARED TO FAIL
Adolescent students in Chicago’s low-income, inner-city neighborhoods face many obstacles. As a result, of those students who start high school, only 45% complete it. The college completion picture is even more bleak. Of those who enter 9th grade at a Chicago public school, only 6% will go on to finish college by age 25. From High School to the Future: A first look at Chicago Public School graduates’ college enrollment, college preparation, and graduation from four-year colleges, April 2006
These children face a “family of demons” including drugs, gangs, violence, and a decayed environment - vacant lots, substandard housing, and an absence of local businesses. Most live in female-headed households, with total annual incomes of less than $18,000. It is hard to focus on school when facing so many pressures and challenges at home. Children in these neighborhoods just as in other urban, low-income neighborhoods lack the firm foundation that prepares them for college success and the vast majority lack college-educated role models and connections to higher education.
THE BUSINESS PROBLEM: EMPLOYERS NEED BETTER EDUCATED EMPLOYEES
Two-thirds of employers currently find that public school students don’t have the basic cognitive skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Looking ahead, every industry is predicting severe blue collar and white collar labor shortages by 2015 and companies predict that 80% of the fastest growing jobs will require at least two years of college. The labor market horizon is bleak. With jobs to fill and a projected dearth of applicants, it’s critically important that the available applicants have the necessary education to fulfill the job responsibilities. Yankelovich Partners study, 2005
THE ANSWER: LONG-TERM MENTORING BETWEEN ONE EMPLOYER AND ONE STUDENT
A critical factor in college matriculation is a long term relationship with at least one adult person who believes in the student. Center for Companies That Care is facilitating this relationship by implementing a four-year mentoring program matching low-income, urban students with corporate mentors. A group of employees within a company will formally mentor one student through high school graduation and into college.
The AIM High curriculum rests on 8 pillars that are integrated into the annual programming. Activities that support each of the eight pillars change each year, but all pillars are emphasized. The eight pillars include:
- Goal Setting and Leadership
- Academic Support
- College Readiness
- Workforce Development
- Cultural Exposure
- Community Service
- A Day in the Student’s Life
- Year-end Recognition
View the 2017-2018 AIM High Touchpoints Calendar here.
As the facilitator of the program, Center for Companies That Care makes it easy for employers to participate. Companies That Care will prepare mentors to teach general work skills, interviewing skills, computer proficiency, resume writing, money management, college application preparation, presentation skills, assistance with research projects, and more. In addition, Companies That Care will work with mentors to help students select a college, search for financial aid and scholarships, and accompany them on a bus tour of Midwest colleges. Students will have the opportunity to leave their neighborhoods and intern at their mentors’ Chicago area location. They will also participate in the Companies That Care CAREDAYS community service project. Students will welcome their mentors for special events (Bring Your Mentor to School Day, etc.), and participate in group cultural and sporting events.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: SIGN UP TO BE A MENTOR, A SPONSOR, OR BOTH.
Each student needs a sponsoring organization and a mentoring organization. This can be the same organization or two different organizations. Sponsorship for one child is $5000 annually.
Companies may sponsor a student, mentor a student, or both.
- Sponsors and mentors each make a four year commitment
- Sponsors and mentors will be publicly recognized
- Sponsoring is $5000 per student annually
- Several employees at a company may mentor one student
- Mentoring is estimated to take about 45 hours per year per student, excluding the internship phase
TO BECOME A PARTNER IN THIS EXCITING INITIATIVE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION…
Contact Center for Companies That Care at 312.661.1010 or complete this interest form.
Read the Annual Report VIDEO OF STUDENTS TALKING ABOUT PROGRAM
Click the black box to begin the video.
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