Summer Search students need our support now more than ever as we remain unwavering in our mission and leverage our unique position to continue providing mentoring services virtually. With schools closed and other support systems at capacity, Summer Search is one of the few constants our young people can count on for the support they need.

Supporting Young People

During this time, our high school and post-secondary students continue to receive one-on-one support from their mentors over the phone. Mentors are working to make sure that students are connected to local resources and up to date information around COVID-19. Students are sharing those resources with their families, in addition to the strategies that they are learning during their mentoring sessions to center themselves, stay present, and deal with anxiety.

The pandemic has also further complicated the post-secondary decision-making process for our young people worried about committing to a school they have not been able to visit due to campus closures and cancelled admitted days. Our Post-Secondary team is providing virtual advising meeting to support our students as they make their college decisions and think through their financial aid packages, especially if their families financial situations have changed. They are also facilitating virtual college information sessions for students who had their college visits cancelled, allowing high school seniors to connect with Summer Searchers currently in college and learn what it is like to attend.

Furthermore, to ensure their path to thriving adulthood is not permanently disrupted, Summer Search is providing low-barrier, urgent funding for groceries, utilities, college fees, and housing.

We are uniquely positioned to act in a time of crisis to ensure our young people are unstoppable in pursuing their dreams. Thank you for supporting the more than 1,000 Summer Searchers and their families in Boston. We will continue to adapt and innovate to ensure fulfill our promise to be there for our young people!