The Reaching At Promise Students Association (RAPSA) would like to announce it has been awarded a two-year grant of $200,000 from the Stuart Foundation. The funding will empower RAPSA to advance its mission is to support educators, policymakers, and system-level leaders serving at-promise and Opportunity Youth in the alternative education space in order to create more equitable schools and systems.
The Stuart Foundation’s initiative for thriving adolescents is aligned with RAPSA’s mission. The Stuart Foundation believes that: “young people can thrive if they receive a high-quality, well-rounded education that responds to their interests, makes room for self-expression and self-determination, and supports post-secondary transitions to college, careers and civic life. This kind of education only happens within systems of schools that intentionally design for it, are structured for collaboration and shared ownership, and have the necessary resources for high-quality learning environments and continuous improvement. We are intent on transforming the structure and experience of high school to center meaningful learning that is relevant, aligned with life experiences and interests, and connected to future hopes and goals. We are also focused on post-secondary transitions to college, career and participation in civic life and our democracy.” (Source: Stuart Foundation Website)
This generous support will also provide an onramp for RAPSA to develop a strategic partnership with the California Opportunity Youth Network (COYN). A partnership with COYN - one of the leading policy advocates for Opportunity Youth - will afford these organizations the opportunity to establish an exchange of research, policy perspectives and legislative agendas and create shared policy priorities and objectives to be advanced in a coordinated and effective manner. Thus, the intent of the partnership will be to bridge the gaps between policy, research, and practice, so that educators engaged in this work are well-informed and adequately supported to provide transformative learning opportunities for at-promise students/Opportunity Youth. To be sure, the proposed funding from the Stuart Foundation will be a catalyst for RAPSA to execute our priorities and fulfill our mission.
The Stuart Foundation states, “We envision schools and school systems with both the people and the means to break stubborn historical links between race, class, academic achievement and opportunity. These schools accomplish the most important work there is: helping every young person thrive, regardless of neighborhood or circumstance.”
RAPSA works diligently to help make this vision a reality and the Stuart Foundation has generously aided in the process. We humbly extend our gratitude to the Stuart Foundation for their support and assistance in making the education realm one that allows all youth to achieve success.
For more information about RAPSA, contact us at info@rapsa.org or connect on social media: Facebook (@atpromise), Instagram (@reachingatpromisestudents), and LinkedIn (@reaching-at-promise-students-association)