Pathways to Success

Pathways to Success prepares our Club members for success in college and career through hands-on exploration and preparation. The program – offered in eight week sessions (in the fall, spring, and summer), for about three hours per week – is divided into three main sections:

  • College preparation and access
  • Career exploration
  • Financial literacy

To prepare youth for postsecondary education, we offer at least ten college visits per year, provide assistance with college and financial aid applications, and help Club members create a portfolio. The creation of a portfolio represents a valuable opportunity to document learning and demonstrate self-awareness. It is a place where youth collect information that will be helpful for both college and job applications, including: academic records, work and volunteer experience, a resume, college applications, samples of work, letters of recommendation, and other pertinent information or honors.

The theory behind the Pathways program is that the provision of a hands-on, “real-world” career experience, brokered through partnership with local corporations is the most effective way to help young people prepare for college and career. Each year, we will deliver a minimum of five career experiences, which provide a window into the world of work and can include Club visits from professionals in various fields or job shadowing opportunities, among others. While career experiences are chosen with an eye toward Club members’ interests, we believe that providing a unique experience in any field will add value to the development of critical workforce readiness skills (collaboration, inquiry, critical thinking, logic, etc.), regardless of whether that industry is an exact fit with each child’s unique passion.

Lastly, critical financial literacy skills are taught through various curricula such as Money Matters, provided through a national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has partnered with local organizations – including workforce development, industry, economic development and higher education. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has developed a five-year plan that will be the cornerstone for the development of academic and career pathways.

Community partnerships give Boy & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver members the unique opportunity to explore future careers through field experiential opportunities such as: job shadowing, mentoring, internships and job opportunities within the local community.

For more information about how you or your company can get involved with the Pathways to Success program, please contact Tonja at TonjaM@bgcmd.org.

Pathways to Success Program Supported By: