Facilitator: Cindy Firestein, Facilitator: Brian Moore, JVS: Bridges to College Program

JVS Mission: JVS empowers individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers, and partners with employers to hire, develop, and retain productive workforces. JVS Impact: For more than 75 years, JVS has been helping people secure financial independence through educational and employment services. Each year, JVS empowers more than 21,000 individuals through more than 36 services. JVS Location: JVS, 29 Winter Street, Boston, MA (Downtown Crossing)

The Bridges to College Program at JVS is a FREE 23-week college preparation program designed to help students develop the skills necessary to succeed in college. The program is offered twice a year once from January – June and again from July – December. There are two program pathways students may choose from: General Studies Pathway (Started in 2009) Biotechnology Pathway (Started in 2013)

Program Manager 3 Academic Coaches 2 Instructors 1 Math Instructor 1 English/Science Instructor Alumni Specialist Outreach Specialist Employment Specialist 10+ Volunteer Tutors 5-7 College Interns

The program is structured to assist students in improving their English skills, math skills, college placement scores and college awareness through FREE classes and tutoring. Students who are interested in the clean energy industry participate in the General Studies Pathway.

The Bridges to College Program's Biotechnology Pathway is designed to help students improve their math, science, and academic/career readiness skills to successfully transition into a 9-month college-level Biotechnology and Compliance Certificate Program which provides students with hands-on lab training on state-of- the-art bio-manufacturing equipment.

Biotechnology Pathway General Studies Pathway

Cohort 12 July 2013 – December 2013 Cohort 13 January 2014 – June 2014 TOTAL July 2013 – July 2014 # of students enrolled in program # of students who completed program 32 (76%)42 (91%)74 (84%) # of students who enrolled in college 27 (84%)35 (83%)62 (84%)

# completing program345 # enrolling in college270 (78%)

General Studies TotalBiotech TotalTotal Enrolled Total MaleFemale Total 3957 Age 18-25Age Age Age 50+ Total

During 23 Week Program Weekly academic and career-readiness group coaching classes One-on-one coaching sessions Timely response to s Follow-up with at-risk clients Safe and welcoming office environment Support services and referrals as needed Empathic and experienced professional coaches Collaborative coaching Pre-Program Coaching One-on-one interview Welcome calls Engagement calls Engagement Packet

“Persistence Plus engages and motivates students to college completion through a mobile platform that uses transformative behavioral interventions. By marrying the best practices in student support, the technology that students use most, and ground- breaking behavioral interventions, Persistence Plus is uniquely able to outreach, engage, and support students from orientation to graduation.” The Bridges to College Program is always striving to provide students with new resources and interactive student-focused events. One new initiative that will start in January 2015 is the launch of Persistence Plus for all current students and alumni who are enrolled in college.

LinkedIn Group: JVS Bridges to College

Orientation Computer Skills Boot Camp Biotechnology Industry Panel Cultural Sharing Campus Biotechnology Lab Tour Campus Tours Guest Speakers Graduation Ceremony Alumni Events

$100 student referral contest for current students $100 student referral contest for alumni Up to $600 in tuition assistance $100 book voucher Job search support for alumni Dual Enrollment opportunity for General Studies Pathway students Transportation assistance for students experiencing financial hardship Additional scholarship and college saving opportunities

Access to Alumni Specialist Open House for Alumni LinkedIn Workshops Third-party payments for tuition and textbooks Support from Employment Specialist Career Workshop Series Resume Writing Cover Letter Development Mock Interviewing Job Search Support

Alumni Testimonial: Yamileth Lopez

1)Have one person from your table act as speaker to share the activity with the larger group. 2)Spend a few minutes reviewing the activity at your table with your small group. 3)Identify 5 reasons why you think these activities/materials have been successful in engaging students. 4)How would you improve the small group activities/materials? 5)How could you implement these activities/materials in your program? 6)Brainstorm with your small group to create a new interactive activity. Make sure your activity has some type of goal or learning outcome. 1)Details of how to implement your activity. 2)Goals of your group’s activity. (Learning Outcome)

Thank you so much for coming. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us after the conference if you have any additional questions or ideas: Facilitator: Cindy Firestein, Facilitator: Brian Moore, JVS: Bridges to College Program “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” ~ Helen Keller ~