Spark the Journey - Mentoring in Washington, DC.

A community of support changes students’ outcomes

Those relationships build networks. Networks open doors.

Get Involved

Spark the Journey is a non-profit organization that provides mentorship and a community of support for young adults to chart their own paths to achieving college and career success. We envision a future where every young person can attain economic mobility, regardless of education, background, or race. Here is how we can reach that vision:

Mentorship

Long- and short-term mentorship applied in meaningful ways can spark change in a young person’s journey toward success.

Community

A network of volunteers, staff, partners, and donors help youth chart their own path and open doors to new opportunities.

Self-Empowerment

Under the guidance of a mentor, young people can master skills and amplify their voice.

“I joined Spark the Journey because I wanted a mentor to help me navigate my way through high school. I wanted to become a better student and a better student-athlete. My mentor, Kevin, has helped me achieve those goals. My life would have been more stressful without my mentor and Spark the Journey, especially during the pandemic. Having a mentor during this time allowed me to stay on track and be goal-oriented.”

– Joshua Graves, Spark the Journey student

“Rosario graduated from college magna cum laude in May 2020, at the height of economic uncertainty when companies were rescinding offers and halting hiring. I quickly shifted from Rosario’s mentor and friend to her career coach, helping her think through different options, prepare for interviews, and review offers. Through a lot of diligence, networking, and hard work, Rosario was able to land a job she was excited about right after graduation. ”

– Emily Field, Spark the Journey mentor of 10 years

“Without my mentor, I would have continued to struggle and would be so unsure about my aspirations and goals. My mentoring relationship caused me to take opportunities to make my life better.”

– Kerry Burns, Spark the Journey student 

“I’ve been a Spark the Journey student for three years. This program has brought value into my life by exposing me to different skills that will transition with me into adulthood. They have exposed me to things like interviewing skills, networking opportunities, and communication skills. My mentor is also very supportive of me. Her support has made me more confident in my future. I hope to become a computer software engineer. ”

– Camille, Spark the Journey student

“Camille has grown ever since she joined Spark the Journey in 9th grade. She began to express herself more. Marian, her mentor, played a big part in that. Marian has come into our family, as a big sister. I have told the entire family about her. She’s taken Camille on outings and they’ve completed projects together. The impact she’s made in our lives has been a blessing.”

– Ms. Norris, Spark the Journey parent

Support Our Mission

Upward mobility in America has declined, especially for young people of color. Today, less than 50% of children will earn more money than their parents. That percentage plummets for Black families.

In D.C., white residents have 81x the average wealth of Black residents who earn significantly less than the living wage for an individual with one dependent.

We target our resources to have the most impact—aiming to reach students from low-income households in areas negatively affected by the drastic income disparity, such as Wards 5, 7, and 8.

Spark Awarded $2 Million

Spark’s request for $1 million was doubled upon receiving the highest peer review scores

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