Beacons is a collaborative community initiative providing after-school and summer care for young people in grades K–12. Through Beacons, the YMCA partners with Twin Cities area schools to provide high-quality educational, recreational, and leadership development activities and eliminate barriers to participation for all youth.
Beacons
On any given day in the Beacons program, young people might enjoy a healthy meal, academic groups with licensed teachers, and enrichment groups.
The program is designed to help young people:
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Establish connections with caring adults and peers in a safe space — 96% of Beacons participants say they know an adult in the program will help them if they have a problem.
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Improve whole-person wellbeing — 96% of Beacons participants say the program has helped them identify interests and talents.
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Stay on track academically through high school graduation — Beacons participants are 2.2 times more likely to graduate on time.
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Develop skills to prepare for college, work, and life — More than 70% of Beacons participants who graduate high school enroll in college.
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Foster connections with school and the community — Beacons participants attend school one week more than similar peers.
Busses are also provided to young people that qualify for school-day transportation.
Beacons: Next Generation
A project at Minneapolis College to help students pursue their life and career goals by providing wrap-around support through higher education.
This program is guided by the voices of young people asking for more support into young adulthood (and guided by data that reinforced this need):
- Beacons Next Generation seeks to move the needle for career and college success by bridging efforts between high school graduation to college and high-paying careers.
- This new partnership shifts Beacons from a K-12 model to a K-Career model.
- Beacons Next Generation focuses on college navigation, career exploration, building connection, increasing belonging, and experiencing joy.
- Students' voice is at the center of all we do.
- Beacons Next Generation hosts weekly student-led events, provides a student-centered space on campus, and supports resource navigation.
- It is a space for students to build genuine connections with their peers and the campus community.
Locations
Minneapolis
Richfield
St. Paul
Part of the Beacons Network — a collaborative initiative between schools, community, and families with the mission to improve academic, social, and lifework development of young people in low-income communities.
Public Notice of Intent to Apply:
The Minneapolis Beacons Network inclusive of its collaborative partners along with its co-applicant the Minneapolis Public Schools intends to submit a grant application in response to the MN Department of Education’s Request for Proposals for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant for Cohort 9 – Federal – Competitive opportunity. A copy of the grant application will be made available online for public review after submission.
A copy of the final application can be accessed here.
Thanks to You
Your generosity makes our good work possible.