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Spark Program – Downtown Los Angeles

If 50 People Donate $10, Then the Spark Program Can Fund a Semester-Long Apprenticeship for One Middle-School Student

$10
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No Longer Available
Mon Aug 20 06:59:59 UTC 2012
Value
$20
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50%
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$10
  • T460x279
  • Do-Gooder

In a Nutshell

Donations help a middle-school student participate in an apprenticeship geared toward helping underserved youth succeed in school and beyond

The Fine Print

The Issue: Nationwide High-School Dropout Rate

According to a 2010 White House report, about 7,000 students drop out of school every day, adding up to 1.2 million students each year. Without a high-school diploma, young people are less likely to succeed as adults, and the nation loses $319 billion in potential earnings each year.

The Campaign: Apprenticeships for Middle-School Students

If this Grassroots campaign raises $500, then the Spark Program can fund a semester-long apprenticeship for one student from John Muir Middle School. The Spark LA Advisory Board will match donations up to $1,000. Each additional $1,000 raised will be used to provide an apprenticeship to another student at the middle school.

All donations will be matched up to a $1,000 total by the Spark LA Advisory Board.

Spark Program

The Spark Program addresses the nation's dropout crisis by connecting students from underserved neighborhoods with professionals who help motivate them to succeed academically and professionally. Each student identifies his or her dream job, and Spark matches the student with a mentor who has that job and can provide a one-on-one workplace apprenticeship. During the fall or spring session, students work on a specific project with their mentors at their workplace once a week for two hours after school. Additionally, students attend an in-school Leadership Class, led by a school staff volunteer, where they learn professional skills such as effective networking and public speaking. Each session culminates in a Discovery Night, where students present their projects.

To date, Spark has provided more than 1,500 apprenticeships to middle-school students across the United States. Nearly all participating students come from neighborhoods where dropout rates exceed 50%, but Spark's alumni data show that apprentices have significantly higher graduation rates from high school, improved academic performance and attendance, and fewer suspensions.

Check out more Groupon Grassroots campaigns here.

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Spark Program

5.0 out of 5
GreatNonprofits (11 Reviews)
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  • A

    Downtown Los Angeles

    315 W 9th St, Suite 1009
    Los Angeles, California 90015
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