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For their innovative strategies to help mold positive youth, eight organizations that mentor urban youth in six cities will share grants totaling $2.4 million.

The Thrive Foundation for Youth in Silicon Valley announced the awards today, which will continue their mission of helping guide disadvantaged young people to reach their full potential. Each of the outstanding groups will receive unrestricted grants of $300,000 over the next two years.

“Our grantees have discovered ways to create a constellation of competent, caring adults who are making a difference in the lives of children,” said Nicole Taylor, President and CEO of the Thrive.

These eight grantees have professional staff members who serve as primary “caring adults” day-to-day, and are role models who provide a consistent, compassionate and trustworthy presence. Collectively, these eight organizations impact the lives of approximately 15,000 young people throughout the United States.

New York City

The Brotherhood/Sister Sol helps keep youth ages 8-22 focused on educational achievement and leadership with multi-year support five day a week providing after school care, counseling, summer camps, job training, employment, and college preparation.

Denver

Colorado UpLift helps urban youth overcome significant obstacles through long-term, life-changing relationships starting in the 2nd and 3rd grade. Salaried teacher/mentors build success through character education, with a focus on high school graduation and post-secondary engagement.

Portland, OR

Friends of the Children selects the highest risk children and commits to working with them from kindergarten to graduation. Friends works through chapters and affiliates nationwide.

Self Enhancement, Inc. guides underserved youth and families to reach their full potential. Their work with more than 7,500 students and families results in stable, supported families and an enhanced community.

Oakland, CA

Girls Inc. of Alameda County supports girls in becoming strong through healthy living and smart through education by providing girls with continuous, strength-based, youth development programming and strong adult role models to identify and nurture the potential for success in every girl.

Youth Radio is the nation’s leading syndicator of youth voices and a national model for media and technology education. The organization provides thousands of low-income youth with innovative media and technology training, paid employment, and wraparound support services to launch them into college and family-sustaining careers.

Washington, D.C.

Latin American Youth Center empowers a diverse population of youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood through multi-cultural and innovative programs that address youths’ needs at all levels.

Chicago

Youth Guidance works through the schools to enable at-risk youth to overcome obstacles. Youth Guidance’s Becoming a Man (B.A.M.) program is a dropout and violence prevention program for at-risk male students in grades 7-12, and includes in-school courses and after-school sports.ThriveFoundation-founders-Bob+DottieKing

The Thrive Foundation for Youth was founded in 1995 by Silicon Valley investor Bob King and his wife Dottie, who have given away $16.7 million from their offices in Menlo Park, California. Learn more at: www.thrivefoundation.org

Photo (top) courtesy of Thrive Foundation for Youth/iStock Ima

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