Spark the Journey

This Wednesday is the day!

We are celebrating 30 years of mentoring young adults from low-income communities in DC at the beautiful Eaton Hotel for an inspiring evening of Igniting Leadership and Sparking Change to honor the many accomplishments of our program participants and the life-changing impact our mentors make on the next generation of leaders.  
 
Today, we share the most important lesson we’ve learned across thirty years of mentorship. 
 
#1  Our Young People Have Limitless Potential  
 
Spark alumni have gone on to become entrepreneurs, educators, lawyers, doctors, non-profit workers, and more. Our community is stronger because of their contributions. We’re honored to have been a part of their journeys over the last three decades and we look forward to many more to come. 
 
Read more about the top five lessons we have learned serving young adults from low-income communities in DC during our three decades of growth on our website!

Continuing to countdown to our 30th-anniversary gala with the second most important lesson we have learned as we reflect on some of the themes that have emerged from three decades of growth. 
 
#2 There are Multiple Pathways to Success

Few of us are successful in life by following a defined, linear path – and so we don’t believe communities should expect their young people to conform to one. Instead, we’ve adjusted our program model to support our young adults as they pursue a path of their own making, whether that involves college persistence or workforce preparation. 
 
We look forward to seeing you on April 26 to hear stories from our program participants, mentors, alumni, Spark team members, and Keynote Speaker, Councilmember Will Jawando.  
 
Read more about this lesson and others on our blog at sparkthejourney.org

This week, we continue to share the five most important lessons we have learned from thirty years of serving young adults from low-income communities in DC. 
 
#3 Mentorship is Just One Piece of the Puzzle

While mentorship is a powerful tool for increasing opportunity, it can’t solve these generational challenges alone. What Spark can do, as we’ve learned over the years, is offer additional wraparound services to address as many of these barriers as we can. We’ve evolved to offer an entire community of support, including case management, tutoring, professional development, an emergency fund program, and more.  
 
More on this lesson and others are available on our blog. Join us at the beautiful Eaton Hotel on April 26 as we honor the many accomplishments of our program participants and the life-changing impact our mentors make on the next generation of leaders. 
  
✍ Blog: sparkthejourney.org

As we prepare for our 30th-anniversary gala on April 26, we’ve been reflecting on themes that have emerged from three decades of growth and are sharing the five most important lessons we have learned. 
 
#5 Mentorship Works 
 
At Spark, our program participants continue to report personal, academic, and professional benefits. During the 2021/2022 school year, 89% of our post-secondary students remained enrolled in college – a key predictor of college persistence. Meanwhile, 79% of program participants reported being more confident in setting goals – a skill that will serve them for life. 
 
Read more about lesson #5 on our blog and join us in-person on April 26 for an inspiring evening of Igniting Leadership and Sparking Change.
 
sparkthejourney.org or link in bio ⬆️
 

This Wednesday, we were thrilled to host a panel of local leaders for a forward-looking conversation on how to equip young adults with the skills, knowledge, and support to succeed in college and career!

A panel of local leaders led us in an illuminating discussion, including: DC Councilmember Robert White, Ahnna Smith, Executive Director, DC Workforce Investment Council, Jennie Niles, President & CEO, CityWorks DC, Belicia Reaves, Principal, Capital City PCS High School, and Chelsea Coffin, Director, Education Policy Initiative, DC Policy Center.

They discussed how schools can offer students more real-world skill development and workforce experiences, how employers can partner with schools to better prepare young people for the workforce, and how stakeholders across DC can develop the local talent pipeline to increase economic mobility for everyone, regardless of if they have a college degree.

Many thanks to the Spark community for joining us! Together, we’re paving the way for greater access and opportunity.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s not forget about the systemic issues young Black people still face today.

Among the largest of these is the racial wealth gap. It’s a massive, generational challenge, yet many people still think it can be solved through education alone.

In Philanthropy News Digest, Spark CEO Khari Brown discusses what it will really take to close the wealth gap -- and what we can do in our own communities, in the meantime, to take more steps toward equality today. Read his op-ed here!

https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/features/commentary-and-opinion/to-close-the-racial-wealth-gap-look-beyond-education-and-into-our-communities

To close the racial wealth gap, look beyond education and into our communities To close the racial wealth gap, look beyond education and into our communities. Until we address the issue of college affordability, degrees alone will not close the racial wealth gap, argues the president and CEO of Spark the Journey, but we can take action today to improve the lives of young Black...

Tickets for Spark the Journey’s annual gala are now available! Join us on April 26 for an evening of celebration at the beautiful Eaton Hotel in downtown DC.

You’ll hear from program participants, mentors, alumni, Spark team members, and a special guest speaker to learn about their stories and the impact Spark has made over thirty years of mentoring young adults from low-income communities in DC.

Purchase your ticket here! https://secure.givelively.org/event/spark-the-journey/gala-2023/register

“As a first-generation student, I know what it’s like to navigate the world of work and school with many questions and worries about next steps. It’s great to be in a role where I can be a resource to folks and hopefully make these next steps less daunting.” – Jose Lima Rosas, Program Manager at Spark

Today we're shining a spotlight on Jose! Learn more about his work at Spark the Journey here: https://sparkthejourney.org/spark-employee-spotlight-with-jose-lima-rosas/

Today and every day, Spark the Journey celebrates Black history!

Black history is American history. We honor the Black visionaries who came before us – some of them well-known, too many ignored or forgotten.

We are also continually inspired by our program participants. Their leadership, ambition, and creativity make the world a better place.

Together, we're working to build a world where anyone can achieve economic mobility, regardless of location, background, or race.

"Even if you think you don’t have much to offer, or you’re early on in your career, those can all be positives to build a relationship with your mentee around. For example, as someone early on in their career, I’ve recently gone through internship and full-time recruitment processes... These are invaluable experiences and insights for my mentee that mentors later in their career might not as readily draw upon.” – Zachary Guffey, Spark mentor

Today we're shining a spotlight on Zachary! Learn more about his experience as a mentor at Spark the Journey here: https://sparkthejourney.org/spark-mentor-spotlight-with-zachary-guffey/

“Spark the Journey has changed my life by connecting me with a mentor who genuinely cares about my success and well-being. My mentor has assisted me several times and constantly encourages me to stay focused and pursue my aspirations and objectives.” – Moziqe Howard, Spark alum

Today we're shining a spotlight on Moziqe! Learn more about her experience at Spark the Journey here: https://sparkthejourney.org/spark-alumni-spotlight-with-moziqe-howard/

For our final feature of National Mentoring Month, we wanted to celebrate another one of our mentors who joined us in partnership with Year Up! Zachary Guffey became a Spark mentor after interning with Year Up in college and being inspired by their mission to close the opportunity divide for young people through job training.

Thank you, Zachary, for your time and dedication! You are making a difference in our community.

Want to learn more about mentoring at Spark? Interested in helping a young adult in DC achieve their dreams? Get more details here: https://sparkthejourney.org/become-a-mentor/

Today is National Thank Your Mentor Day! No one says it better than our program participants – here's what they've got to say about their mentors, and how much mentorship has meant to them!

To all our Spark mentors, we can't say it loudly enough: THANK YOU for all you do!

Mark your calendars for Spark's annual gala this spring! We hope you'll join us on Wednesday, April 26th, for an evening celebrating a major milestone – our 30th year mentoring young adults in DC!

Stay tuned for more details on how to purchase a ticket or sponsor the event.

We’re in the midst of National Mentoring Month and we’ve got more mentors to celebrate! James Hawkins became a Spark mentor because he wanted to make a difference in his community in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.

Thank you, James, for investing in our young people. You have absolutely made a difference!

Want to learn more about mentoring at Spark? Interested in helping a young person in DC achieve their dreams? Get more details here: https://sparkthejourney.org/become-a-mentor/

We are ! Spark the Journey is seeking a Development Manager to support fundraising goals by supervising the Development Coordinator, overseeing the donor database, stewarding a portfolio of donors, and assisting with grants management. Apply here! https://sparkthejourney.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=54&source=sparkthejourney

It’s National Mentoring Month and we’re celebrating our incredible mentors! Spring-Eve Rosado See became a Spark mentor through Year Up because her life was transformed by people who invested in her, and she wanted to pay it forward.

Thank you, Spring-Eve, for your commitment! You are making a difference in our community.

Want to learn more about mentoring at Spark? Interested in helping a young adult in DC achieve their dreams? Get more details here: https://sparkthejourney.org/become-a-mentor/

We’re celebrating our phenomenal mentors in honor of National Mentoring Month! Nicole Abera became a Spark mentor because she wished she’d had a mentor in high school, and she wanted to be a resource for a young person who may not have had anyone else to talk to.

Thank you, Nicole, for your time and dedication! You are making a difference in our community.

Want to learn more about mentoring at Spark? Interested in helping a young adult in DC achieve their dreams? Get more details here: https://sparkthejourney.org/become-a-mentor/

We are ! Are you a social media pro with a passion for graphic design? Want to join a nonprofit that provides mentorship and a community of support to young adults in DC? We're seeking a Social Media and Graphic Design Specialist to help us increase our reach and engage our community. Apply today! https://bit.ly/3CmB138

The most rewarding aspect of Ranya Ayoub’s role as a Program Coordinator at Spark? “Getting to know the stories of all the people I work with and seeing them achieve their goals. This includes our students, families, mentors, and all my teammates.”

Read Ranya’s full spotlight here! https://bit.ly/3FFdaxB

From all of us at Spark the Journey, thank you for making 2022 a fabulous year! We are beyond grateful for the tireless dedication of the Spark community. Wishing you all the best this holiday season, and a very happy New Year!

“I became a mentor because my life and growth has been transformed by people who have invested in me. Mentoring is a way to pay it forward. It is important to recognize that the mentor/mentee relationship isn’t a one-way street. I’m learning from my mentee. I’m benefiting and growing as a result of our relationship.” - Spring-Eve Rosado See, Spark mentor

Read Spring’s full spotlight here! https://bit.ly/3UMy5D7

“I can’t write all my memorable moments with Caroline in one paragraph. I have been paired with Caroline for ten years and have gone through a lifetime of experiences with her... In 2014, she attended my mother’s baby shower, and in 2016, she attended my quinceañera. I attended her wedding and her baby shower in 2019.” - Jasmin Orellana, Spark alum

Read Jasmin’s full spotlight here!

Spark Alumni Spotlight with Jasmin Orellana - Spark the Journey Jasmin Orellana joined Spark’s program in 2013. She is currently a Post-Secondary Education Fellow at KIPP Forward. Read her story.

It’s rare to be able to make a contribution that has such an immediate and life-changing impact on a young person’s life. Join us this and support the Spark Emergency Fund so students like Marcus can continue to thrive: https://bit.ly/3VBCYQ3

Spark students can apply to our emergency fund to cover things like groceries, internet access, textbooks, and any other critical expenses that young people need to stay on track in school and on their chosen career path. Help us fill financial gaps for low-income students in DC this . Make a contribution here! https://bit.ly/3VBCYQ3

We believe that every young person deserves the chance to go all in on their college and career goals, without falling behind due to expenses beyond their reach. Tomorrow on , help us make that dream a reality. https://bit.ly/3VBCYQ3

It's almost here! We invite you to celebrate with us on Nov. 29, 2022. Join us during this national day of giving to give a gift that will help meet the basic needs of our students so they can focus on their studies instead of their finances.

Last week, our team came together for great food, team building, and colloboration!

Help us recruit new students and volunteers! We are in search of a Recruitment Coordinator to guide potential volunteers & students through the recruitment & acceptance process from learning about the program to finally being matched. Apply Today! https://bit.ly/3y3oWxi

We are in search of a Program Coordinator to help us achieve our organizational goals of supporting low-income DC students in their journey to attaining college and career success by managing a caseload of student-mentor pairs. Apply Today! https://bit.ly/3rhN3ol

We are excited to announce that Spark student, Saniyah, was the high school recipient of the 2022 Henry D. Owen scholarship. She shares a moment that changed her relationship with her mother and influenced her career path. Read her winning essay here. https://bit.ly/3dNZdlI

Want to know more about the vision behind our new name? Curious about how we supported students during the pandemic? Learn how we provide mentorship and a community of support for young adults in our recent interview on The Washington Informer TV.

Thank you, Denise Rolark Barnes for the opportunity to share our vision with your audience.

WIN TV - Dr. Brandon White Get MORE of WIN-TV:► FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://twitter.com/WashInformer► LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonInformer/Executive Pro...

We're hiring! Do you enjoy writing and creating engaging content that sparks discussions? Are you a PR pro with a passion for increasing the reach of a mission-driven organization? Do you want to work for a nonprofit that provides support to young adults in DC? Check out the job description for our Communications Associate and apply today. https://bit.ly/3R6soyo