Stronger workforce. Stronger community.  Better for business.

Together, we can help today’s at-risk students become tomorrow’s workplace stars.

The challenge: Not everyone gets an equal start in life.

For Dallas ISD students with a poverty rate of 86%, simply wanting to attend college or even receiving the opportunity to attend is not enough. Critical learning and life skills are missing as they navigate the transition from high school to early adulthood. Those students who are accepted into college drop out at a rate of nearly 90%.

Our answer: One-on-one mentoring.

We believe all students have the capacity to elevate their lives from what they are to what they can be. The Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E. creates a framework for success, offering guideposts and tools for junior and senior high school students as they enter and complete college, pursue a career and establish themselves as members of the community. The mission itself actually begins with the community through volunteer mentors and support from business partners, like you.

How it works…

Each mentor leads one student through our 27-week program that encompasses both personal and professional skills training to fill in knowledge gaps, while offering a wider view of the future. After our students enroll in college, our mentors continue to support them with monthly check-ins to provide additional direction. C.H.O.I.C.E. students will receive 6 years of mentorship, support, and guidance.
…And it definitely works 95% of C.H.O.I.C.E. students enroll in college,

2x the DISD rate

40% of C.H.O.I.C.E. students remain in college,  4x the DISD rate

$640,000 in college funding has been awarded  to C.H.O.I.C.E. graduates since 2015

3 ways your business can help

You can be part of mentoring students to turn education into endless possibility by supplementing their schoolwork  with real-world experience and knowledge. There are several ways to get involved:

Research Opportunities

Offer a student a half-day career shadow at your business, as well as 3 informational phone calls with a student 

and mentor

Internships

Provide a paid summer internship position with continued mentoring  from C.H.O.I.C.E.

Mentoring

Encourage and support staff members to serve as

C.H.O.I.C.E. mentors

Become a business partner today. Contact Jessica Bartnick at 214-442-1669 or [email protected].