Spark
Profile ( less )
Description: Spark is the only youth empowerment program in the country that addresses the dropout crisis by re-engaging at-risk students through hands-on, individualized apprenticeships.
Target demographics: Spark is the only youth empowerment program in the country that addresses the dropout crisis by re-engaging at-risk students through hands-on, individualized apprenticeships.
These workplace-based apprenticeships—in professions each student has identified as a “dream job”—are complemented by a leadership curriculum, workshops, and field trips. The Spark experience creates a powerful sense of relevance for students, while providing the skills and confidence necessary to find success in school and in life.
Spark offers this program to 7th and 8th grade students, through summer and after-school programs, in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, with plans to extend programs to Chicago for the 2011-2012 school year.
Geographic areas served: San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, San Rafael, Redwood City), Los Angeles, Chicago
USA locations: San Francisco Bay Area
Board Members and Affiliation: Raj Agrawal, Director, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
Chris Balme, Spark Co-Founder & Executive Director
Dana Bennis, Education Program Associate, Bay & Paul Foundations; Advisor, Calhoun School
Anne Marie Burgoyne, Portfolio Director, Draper Richards Foundation
Christian Cruz, Youth Advisor; Spark Graduate; High School Student at Sequoia High School
Holly Depatie, Philanthropist, Advocate and Activist, Writer
Sarah Friar, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Zia Khan, Vice President, Strategy, Rockefeller Foundation
Nir Margalit, General Counsel, AdFam
John McKee, Board Chairman, Dean of Development & College Relations, University of California - Berkeley
Rodney Prezeau, Vice President, Business Strategy, Charles Schwab
William Schawbel, CEO, Schawbel Corporation
