In 2021, Little Lights launched the Next Step College and Career Readiness program to support middle and high school students, as well as young adults. This program provides support to students in school and advocates and supports these students and young adults as they pursue college and other post secondary careers. The program also increases college retention by providing support for first generation college students as they navigate life away from home, financial aid, and college courses. By offering a holistic blend of academic support, career guidance, and personalized assistance, our Next Step College and Career Readiness program equips students with the tools and resources necessary to achieve their academic and professional goals, setting them on a path toward success in adulthood.
College and Career
COLLEGE AND CAREER
About the Program
Our Next Step College and Career program offers comprehensive services to support students throughout their academic journey and beyond. Here’s how we’re making a difference:
TUTORING
Tutoring helps our students stay on track academically and develop good study habits
Knowing how critical maintaining a good GPA is for college acceptance and scholarship opportunities, we provide one-to-one tutoring for middle, high school, and college students during our Homework Club tutoring hours as well as on additional evenings and weekends to accommodate older students’ busy schedules. Tutoring helps our students stay on track academically and develop good study habits that aid in their academic success, ultimately leading toward higher college attendance and retention.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Personalized Support for Underserved Students in the College Application Process
Our program is committed to providing personalized guidance and support to underserved students navigating the college application process. From helping students select suitable institutions to apply to to assisting with application forms and crafting compelling essays, our team ensures that every student receives the individualized assistance they need to pursue higher education. We also set up college tours for our students to help determine which institutions may be a good fit for them.
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE
Financial Aid and Scholarship Assistance to help Reduce Financial Barriers
We understand the significant financial constraints our students face, and therefore, we prioritize finding suitable yet affordable opportunities.
By actively seeking out scholarship opportunities and vetting schools that make financial sense, we aim to mitigate the risk of debt and empower students to pursue their academic aspirations without financial barriers. Little Lights also supports students who need help filling out the FAFSA form which is mandatory for all students who need federal aid.
EARLY CAREER EXPLORATION WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES
Empowering Students with Early Career Exploration Workshops and Activities
We believe in equipping students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their future careers.
Through interactive workshops, guest speakers, career assessments, and hands-on activities, we help students explore various career paths, understand industry trends, and identify their interests and strengths. By fostering early career exploration, we empower students to set meaningful goals and chart a course for success.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND WORKFORCE PROGRAM ADMISSIONS
Career Support: Employment, Workforce Programs, Internships, and Skills Training
We want to help ensure the youth we work with are equipped for success in their careers and provide various forms of support to help them find employment.
For individuals not interested in pursuing college, we help them find a workforce program that fits their skills and interest and provide support navigating the application process. For high school and college students needing summer jobs, we offer part time employment as support staff for Summer Lights. We also hire young adults not in college throughout the school year and summer as support staff. We also help our college students find internship opportunities in their field of interest to get critical relevant job experience. Additionally, we offer workshops on writing resumes and mock interviews to ensure our students are equipped with the skills they need to secure employment.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING INTEGRATION
Essential SEL Skills for Emotional and Relationship Development
Our program integrates social-emotional learning (SEL) components to support students’ holistic development.
Through age-appropriate SEL sessions, we provide students with essential skills for managing emotions, building positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. The personal relationships we build with each student in our program helps to ensure our students’ social-emotional needs are being met, especially throughout the difficult transition to college for our first generation college students.
SCHOOL ADVOCACY
Navigating school administration processes can be difficult and confusing
We provide assistance and guidance for our middle school students navigating the DC school lottery system. We also support students to cut through some of the extensive bureaucratic tasks and ensure administrators at institutions are giving the attention our students need. We also provide continued advocacy and support throughout college, ensuring students don’t miss critical deadlines.
College and Career Program Impact
The success of our older students, many attending college with minimal debt, is inspiring the younger generation and transforming our community. The College and Career Program is making a significant difference in students’ lives and futures.
114
Students Supported
$769,000
Secured in Scholarships
15
College
Visits Organized
18
Students in
College
