Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness
for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)
 Partnering with the Los Angeles Unified School District and others in a federally funded
GEAR UP program, YPI serves a cohort of 1,400 students at Sepulveda
Middle School and Monroe High School over six years (2005-11). Project
LASSO (Linking Academic Success with Student Outreach) prepares
students for college starting in the 7th and 8th grade and continues
through the high school years until students enroll in college.
Project LASSO activities include tutoring (both in and out of
school), case management for families, afterschool programs, professional
development through AVID and KAPLAN, curriculum improvement activities,
summer programs sponsored by CSUN and Valley College, mentoring,
PSAT/SAT instruction, college preparation and counseling services,
and financial counseling for families. Other program offerings
challenge students to discover fields of interest and assist their
parents/guardians.
- Enrichment afterschool classes (Graphic Design, Art/Cartooning,
Gardening, Drama, Journalism, Architecture).
- MALDEF Parent School Partnership (Parenting Classes).
- Employment services for parents/guardians.
- Assistance with college applications and scholarships/loans.
- Quarterly parent workshops (covering financial aid and the
four levels of higher education).
- Field trips to colleges/universities (USC, UCLA, UCSB, California
State University, Northridge, Los Angeles Valley College).
Project LASSO Partners
- Los Angeles Unified School District
- Youth Policy Institute
- California State University, Northridge
- Los Angeles Valley College
- KAPLAN Instructional Services
|
