Seven Tepees Youth Program

Programs: Learning center - is located at 17th and south van ness, in the heart of san francisco's mission district and annually serves approximately 125 middle and high school students. Alumni who are currently enrolled in higher education and/or are working also benefit from ongoing support through seven tepees resources. Students are referred to the program by public school counselors, teachers, and social workers. 95% of learning center youth are low income; 95% are latino/chicano and/or african american; and 49% are girls. All youth participate in the program free of charge. Most students enter seven tepees in the summer after 5th grade; they are asked to commit to the program through high school graduation. These 7 to 12 years span the developmentally critical transitions from elementary school to middle school; middle school to high school; and beyond high school to post-secondary education or the job market. Seven tepees has a proven track record achieving positive and measurable impact in the lives of inner-city youth. Students graduate from the learning center with stronger inner resources and the practical life skills necessary to reach for a broader set of opportunities. The learning center employs several strategies to achieve its goals:academic support and guidance - daily after-school homework help and tutoring, individual academic case management including teacher and counselor visits, year-round academic enrichment programming in language arts, reading and steam (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) subjects. College and career advising - one-on-one advising for high schoolgraduation and college eligibility, college and vocational schoolapplication assistance, college tours, financial aid applicationassistance, parent workshops and sat prep courses. Scholarships and financial aid - financial aid workshops for students and parents; scholarship, fafsa and dream act application assistance; and upon successful completion of the learning center program, youth are eligible to receive a scholarship of up to $5,000. Job training and paid internships - summer job training and paidinternship programs including the middle school 7 corps program and three opportunities for high school students (7 corps leaders, waves marine science program and the career internship program). Parent and family education - monthly workshops for parents include parenting skills, reproductive health, information about high school selection and college knowledge. Community leadership - leadership development is embedded into programs through close peer- to- peer leadership training and opportunities; regular service learning projects are designed to build leadership skills and a focus on giving back to the community.

college and career program - established in 2007, is offered at mission high school. The college and career program furthers the mission by working with partner schools to offer equity-based college access programming. The program includes intensive support for high school graduation and support services for both college-bound and work-bound students. Seven tepees' efforts have dramatically increased the number of first-generation college students by promoting a "college-going culture" at schools and within families. The college and career program serves 900 students each year. Specific components include:- one-on-one college advising services for 11th and 12th graders, including assistance with college and vocational school applications and financial aid application support- weekly advisory and grade-level workshops- parent education and teacher professional development- scholarships- whole school events and college fairs

environmental education program - this program is found within the learning center and helps youth appreciate and understand the greater environment in which they live. It is ongoing local environmental education through workshops, field trips and service projects and up to 16 overnight trips per year.

mentoring - this program is found within the learning center andcomprises of intensive, long-term and comprehensive mentoring for 7th graders, promoting the healthy development of long-term relationships with adults, as well as youth development and leadership skills. Counseling groups and crisis support - this program is found within the learning center. A licensed marriage and family therapist provides crisis counseling and individual follow-up as needed along with counseling groups on topics important to adolescents such as reproductive health, bullying and healthy behavior.