Annual Report 2022

A Path to New Beginnings

A message from our President and CEO

2022 has been a transformative year at Spark the Journey (formerly Capital Partners for Education). But it has also reinforced the fact that the effects of the pandemic, not to mention increasing economic uncertainty, land heaviest on the community we serve. For many young people, a college degree is a critical stepping stone to financial security. For others, the rising cost of tuition, food, housing, healthcare, and more mean alternate paths are more fruitful both in the short- term and for their future economic mobility. So, like our students, who reach higher every day, this year we reimagined what it means to support young people on their path to success.

Under a new name, a new brand, and a new strategic plan, Spark the Journey has committed to helping more students achieve economic mobility – and reach it faster – than we ever have before. Our updated mission and values are a testament to what we’ve always known to be true: young people are the directors of their own destinies. All we do is offer a spark.

In this report, you’ll hear from students pursuing a tremendous variety of opportunities, and we’ll share more details on our expanded programming, growing partnerships, and benchmarks for the next three years. We could not have increased our impact to the extent that we have – nor could we continue to stretch to new heights – without the support of our mentors, community partners, staff, and donors. Thank you, as ever, for helping us build the world we all want to live in.

Our Mission

Empowering students to chart their own paths

Spark the Journey provides mentorship and a community of support for young adults to chart their own paths to achieving college and career success. What would our world look like if every young person had the freedom and opportunity to embrace their dreams, whatever they may be? By building a culture and community of support that makes this question a reality, America will be a country that lives up to its promises of equal opportunity and economic mobility—and ensures that every next generation can lead a successful life of their own choosing.

Mentor Pairs

Meet Kerry and James

”When I met my mentor, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I noticed how heavily invested he was in my future. He shared his ambitions and goals with me to let me know I am not the only one striving to be better and that he is in it with me. He supported me on my football journey from unknown sophomore to All-State Senior Quarterback. It feels like we have known each other for a lifetime. The challenges I have overcome thus far will equip me to take on the future challenge of being a college student-athlete. I know that regardless of the difficulties I could encounter, I have the support of my family, friends, mentor, and Spark the Journey.
Kerry Burns, JrSpark College Student

”Most of the accomplishments others are proud of have not moved me that much. For example, graduating from college, graduate school, or receiving a baseball scholarship. My greatest joy comes from minor acts of kindness. I decided to mentor to actively create the change I want to see in the world. I had no idea I would gain a little brother in the process. KJ is a remarkable young man. Over the years, I have seen him mature and overcome adversity with a smile. I have learned as much from KJ as he has learned from me. One underrated aspect of mentoring is the values you try to instill in your mentee echo internally. How can I ask KJ to do something I cannot do? How can I tell KJ to try when I am not trying? When I started this journey, I was unsure where it would take me and how long it would last. KJ and I will share our connection for life. I appreciate Spark the Journey for providing a platform for us to connect.
James HawkinsSpark Mentor

A path to new beginnings

A new strategic plan

In our fiscal year 2022, we embarked on a new multiyear strategic plan. We refined our strategy further by committing to expanding programming to provide students with additional pathways to associate degrees and workforce development credentials correlated with high-growth industries. This strategy allows more of our students to achieve greater economic mobility in a shorter period of time and with less of the long-term financial burden imposed by student loans. We believe this strategy sets the stage for truly transformational growth and will increase our postsecondary degree completion rate to 75%. Our commitment to our students is further reflected through our partnership with the Talent for Tomorrow Alliance (TFT), a collaboration with Spark, Year Up, New Futures, Genesys Works, and Per Scholas. We co-founded the TFT to provide additional workforce development training and alternative paths to career success for those students who do not or cannot complete a four-year degree.

Evolving our programming also required us to evaluate the requirements set for students to join Spark the Journey. Beginning in 2017, Spark’s programming was designed to support students who fell within the academic middle of their peers. These were students who were on the cusp of college eligibility but needed extra guidance and resources to get there. But in the wake of the pandemic, we’ve found that many students are struggling with more than just their grades, and that academic performance itself is no longer a stable predictor of future potential. The challenges of the pandemic have highlighted obstacles our students encounter across the academic spectrum that our organization’s services can address. It is our goal to meet the holistic needs of the young adults we serve and to focus our efforts on providing programming to those who are continuing to persist, despite the challenges they face.

We’re helping students develop skills that are transferrable to both the workplace and college – from navigating the college application process to exploring career opportunities. It’s the untapped light that our team and mentors ignite, empowering the next generation to master their own future and achieve success. We remove the small and large obstacles that might derail their progress. Our program participants are motivated, and they are driven. We tell them they can, and they do.

A path to new beginnings

A new brand

As we enter our 30th year of mentoring low-income DC students, we do so under a new name. Spark the Journey is continuing Capital Partners for Education’s legacy and is growing its community. Our program model and mentors are focused on empowering students who lack the support they need by guiding them through the challenges they face and providing a space so that they can explore possibility with an open mind—and grow into young adults, active leaders, and engaged citizens within their communities.

We envision a future where every young person can attain economic mobility, regardless of ZIP code, educational background, or race. We believe that students have the fuel they need to define their path to success and realize their dreams. All it takes is a spark to start this journey.

”When it came to the college process, which was very stressful by the way, my mentor was always there to answer questions and motivate me every step of the way. Having someone there who only wanted to help me was amazing. We actually went to go see different campuses in the area and during those tours, my mentor gave me advice on what to look out for and also gave me advice on questions to ask.
Carlos CamposSpark Alumnus

Our impact in numbers

of students rated their mentoring relationships as meeting or exceeding their expectations

400,000

distributed in Emergency Fund Requests to students since the pandemic started

of students reported being more confident in applying to college

of Spark’s high school class of 2022 enrolled in college

of our high school students maintained GPAs above our target levels in the second half of the 2021/22 school year

of students were more confident in setting goals

11,100

total internship stipends received by 5 college students from Spark in summer 2022

of Spark post-secondary participants remained enrolled in college during the 2021/22 school year

”I will always remember the first time my mentor, Tracy, took me to her office. As a young girl in high school, it was incredibly powerful to see a successful Black woman have her own office in a major law firm. As I sat in her office, I remember feeling extremely grateful to have such an incredible representation of everything I can achieve as long as I follow my passion and use my gifts well.

Spark the Journey not only gave me an incredible mentor and friend, but throughout my college experience helped me pay for books. If it wasn’t for Spark, I would have had a much harder time feeling prepared for my classes. They are a huge reason for my success, and I cannot wait to give back one day in the form of hopefully mentoring someone.
Danielle Moni ZooboSpark Alumna

Paving new paths through programs and initiatives

Spark’s Programming

Spark the Journey’s programming is designed and structured to equip high school and post-secondary students with the skills, knowledge, and networks to thrive in academic and professional environments.

Program participants enter our program through three distinct ways: 1) through our 10 public high school and public charter school partners, 2) the OSSE Dual Enrollment program, and 3) through our partnership with the Talent for Tomorrow Alliance made up of Spark, Year Up, New Futures, Genesys Works, and Per Scholas.

Spark’s Programming

High School Program

Under our new strategic plan, our high school program has evolved. We’re focusing on the last two years of high school by creating more task-oriented activities around meeting specific benchmarks. This targeted approach allows us to meet students where they are and support them on their college and/or career path.

Spark’s Programming

Post-Secondary Program

Spark’s Post-Secondary Navigation Program is comprised of two distinct phases that students navigate following high school. Phase one focuses on navigating the transition from high school as students prepare for college and career entry. For the first two years after our students graduate high school, they receive short term mentorship each spring/summer to focus specifically on building career skills and attaining internships. They have access to Spark’s support and programming (emergency fund requests, events, semester checklists, curriculum tools, 1:1 program coordinator support, etc.).

Phase two of our post-secondary program focuses on the emerging professional within our program participants who are in years 3 and 4 post-high school. In this phase, the structured mentorship model is revamped as we take more of a reactive case management approach, empowering participants to amplify their voice and seek out the support and services they need. Participants can reach out to their program coordinators and receive support for any issues or concerns they have. They receive periodic resource emails (such as information on attaining scholarships, internships, jobs, etc.). They also have access to our emergency request fund.

During our fiscal year 2022, Spark hosted:

SAT Classes

SAT diagnostic tests

mentor leadership council meetings

student leadership council meetings

virtual school visits with our high school students

mentor trainings

match events

community-building events

career exploration days

virtual open houses

diversity, equity, and inclusion event

Immersing our program participants in a variety of college, career, and community-centered events supports them on their path to success.

”My ultimate career goal is to pursue marketing for an organization that prioritizes people who have been marginalized such as the Immigration and Refugee community. I hope to use marketing as a form of sharing these stories and advocating for greater access to resources and opportunities in multiple languages. Spark is helping me achieve this by finding opportunities to become a marketing intern and gain experience.
Julissa GranadosSpark College Student

Paving new paths through programs and initiatives

Spark’s Initiatives

Over the past year, we have been referring our students to Year Up, New Futures, and Genesys Works to take part in their programming. Spark students have consistently reported that they find dual-program enrollment to be extremely enriching alongside the core mentorship supportive services they traditionally receive from Spark.
We are currently piloting a program to deliver our mentoring services directly to Year Up’s students, who participate in six months of paid job training followed by six months of paid internship placements. During our 2023 fiscal year, we aim to match up to 120 young people with Spark mentors who will support them through their Year Up experience.

Looking ahead – Expanding our reach

Talent for Tomorrow Alliance

Spark’s involvement in the Talent for Tomorrow Alliance has proven beneficial to promoting college and career success. Currently, Spark has a formal partnership with Year Up and is in the process of designing new partnerships with Genesys Works and New Futures that are expected to launch in fall 2023. Each of these partners refer their students to Spark who they believe benefit from a mentor and structured curriculum. Over the next three years, we anticipate supporting an additional 480 young people through these partnerships and pipeline programs and working with up to 120 students annually from partner organizations.

Talent for Tomorrow Alliance participants

”The internship at Genesys Works taught me the importance of teamwork, problem solving, and communication skills. Receiving intern of the year at Genesys Works opened my eyes to the many things I want to accomplish in life. When I earned the award, I felt like I could do anything as long as I remain confident, consistent, and focused.
Jaheim SmithSpark College Student

Looking ahead – Expanding our reach

Strategic Plan Goals

Over the next three years, we anticipate:

780

additional students placed on the path to economic mobility

of participants will be employed in a career field associated with their degree within six months of program completion

of students will complete an internship, externship, or job shadowing opportunity made possible by new corporate and community partners

1,000

mentors recruited to support this growth

Looking ahead – Expanding our reach

Student Number Growth

1993

4 students

2022

483 students

2025

1015 students (projected)

”Cathy and I are so grateful to have had the opportunity to be involved with Spark the Journey for 20 years now. Education totally changed my life, so it’s truly inspiring to see the incredible improvements Spark has made in the lives of so many low-income students in the DC area and their families. Spark has evolved from a start-up nonprofit providing mentors and financial assistance to a small number of students in private high schools to a sophisticated organization providing mentors, programming, and financial assistance to over 950 students in public high schools, colleges, and the workplace beyond. Thus, the reason for the change in name to Spark the Journey! Today, Spark is empowering a substantial number of students to improve the quality of their lives and we have very ambitious plans to do even more in the years ahead. We couldn’t have done what we have so far, and we won’t be able to accomplish all that we aspire to in the future, without our dedicated mentors, generous donors, and excellent staff. I’m incredibly proud of all that Spark has done and is doing, and I’m optimistic that we can make an even greater difference in the years ahead. Onward!
Warren GorrellSpark Board Member

Financials

2022

Direct Program Support

$2,616,096

77%

Fundraising

$453,293

13%

Management and General

$344,264

10%

Get Involved

Ways to support our mission

Your continued support can help Spark the Journey further its mission to give all our students the support they need. You can give a financial gift to Spark or apply to become a mentor. Learn more by visiting our website.

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