SYF Graduate Studies Around the World

Start here. Go anywhere. is what Simon Youth Foundation, through Simon Youth Academies and Simon Youth Scholarships, stresses to students. The concept of this phrase has resonated since 1998 and with more than 10,000 graduates. A prime example of this is Roland Lewinski, a graduate from the Simon Youth Academy at Northgate Mall in Seattle, Washington. He has been in four different countries and two different states in the United States pursuing educational goals.

Roland’s journey has taken him to the countries of Poland, Italy, China and the United States, including Seattle, Washington and Chicago, Illinois.  This is quite a unique journey for a 23-year-old. Originally from Poland, both of his parents are teachers at the University of Wroclaw. At the age of seven, the family moved to Chicago where he attended elementary school and learned English. He finished middle school in Naples, Italy. They moved back to Poland in time for Roland to attend high school, but his father received a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Washington. This is where some difficulties begin.

“The main problem was that I arrived after school had started in Washington and all my transcripts were foreign,” said Roland. “Most of the high schools in Seattle didn't know what to do with me, not to mention that none of them was sure if I actually had enough credits to finish my senior year in USA.”

In addition to this, the differences in teaching systems between Italy and Poland had him in line to finish high school two years ahead of schedule. The school system administrators weren't sure if he could graduate at the age of 16. This is when he was introduced to the Simon Youth Academy.

“I was warmly welcomed and the teachers promised to help me,” he said. “Thanks to the Academy, I had enough time to get my transcripts translated and I could graduate the same year. It was a great experience.”

After graduating from high school, he went back to Poland and began college at the University of Wroclaw. He has completed a degree in journalism and social communication with the specialization of branding and communication design. In addition, he has almost finished a master’s degree in international relations with the specialization of public diplomacy. He still needs to defend his thesis, but postponed this to study abroad.

Last year he applied for two scholarships: Confucius Institute Scholarship for language study in China and a Fulbright scholarship for studies in the USA. He received the Confucius Institute Scholarship and is currently studying in Shanghai, China until July. Roland is still awaiting reply on receiving the Fulbright Scholarship, but he wants to pursue a Master of Arts in east asian studies at a United States university. He credits the Academy to helping him stay on track for his educational goals.

“It gave me a chance to keep on my quite individual and unique educational path,” Roland said. “I am grateful for the understanding of my situation and willingness to help. If not for that I wouldn't be able to finish two faculties at the age of 22, only because I didn't fit the regular scheme. Some people need to move faster and others need more time – SYF helps both succeed.”

Sandra Cath, Beth Fortune, Collin Sam & Dr. Anita Silverman Elected to SYF Board of Directors

Simon Youth Foundation is proud to announce that Sandra Cath, Beth Fortune, Collin Sam & Dr. Anita Silverman have been elected to the SYF Board of Directors for three-year terms. The new directors bring a combined 89 years of experience in their respective areas of expertise to SYF and will continue leading the charge for educating at-risk youth.

“For the last 15 years, SYF has played a considerable role in reshaping the public-education model for at-risk students,” Debbie Simon says. “We want to maintain our position as a leader in the field, and our new Board members are charged with sparking new opportunities to positively impact public education.”

Sandra Cath holds a Masters of Business Administration from Northwestern University, a Masters of Social Work from Smith College and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University. Ms. Cath has more than 20 years of experience overseeing the strategic and financial management of multifamily and retail real estate portfolios working with BRE Properties in San Francisco, California, Catellus Urban Development Group in San Francisco, California, and Equity Group Investment Affiliates in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, Ms. Cath spent six years working with at-risk children as a clinical social worker, primarily in the Chicago school system. She currently provides consulting services to private equity and debt investors through Cath Consulting and resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Beth Fortune has more than 25 years of experience in journalism, politics, government and public affairs. She holds a Master’s of Arts in journalism and public affairs from American University, and a bachelor’s degree from Anderson University. Ms. Fortune is currently the vice chancellor for public affairs at Vanderbilt University. Ms. Fortune leads the university’s comprehensive communications, marketing government and community initiatives and serves as the chief spokesperson. An award-winning former journalist, Ms. Fortune was previously the press secretary to former Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist for more than six years. A member of the Governor’s Cabinet and the first female gubernatorial press secretary in Tennessee history, Fortune served as the primary spokesman for the Sundquist administration. Ms. Fortune resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

Collin Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  Mr. Sam has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, currently the Executive Director of Finance and Accounting for Saban Brands. Mr. Sam previously served as the Treasurer for the national organization GLAAD and lives in Pasadena, California.

Dr. Anita Silverman has more than 19 years of experience in education and holds a Doctorate in Education from Ball State University, an Education Specialist Degree from Ball State University, a Master’s of Arts in Educational Leadership from Governor’s State University, and Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science Education from The Ohio State University. She is currently the Director of Education Services for the Indiana Department of Child Services, an Education Research Consultant for Silverman Education Consulting and Assistant Professor at Ball State University, and resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Silverman has previously served as a Principal for the Simon Youth Foundation Academy Network.

“We are thrilled to have these four dynamic individuals join our SYF Board of Directors,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, SYF President & CEO. “Their combination of great work and dedication to their professions will bring a wealth of knowledge in our effort to raise the foundation’s profile on the national alternative education stage.”

What's Your Potential?

Potential - how do you measure it? Is it experience in a given profession or subjective? The question is one that puzzles job talent evaluators and chief executives across the country. It is something that rarely can be measured by standards or established practices. Proof is often in the pudding as opposed to how well someone can sell themselves during an interview process.

In the Simon Youth Academy at the Terrace at Florida Mall, two students worked hard to accomplish something that hadn't been done before. They wanted vending machines available so students could grab a snack in between classes. Something most take for granted was important to Josh and Anthony, both successful individuals at the SYF academy. They were both passionate about making this opportunity possible, so they started working towards making it happen.

They began a process of researching everything from statistics of potential monthly profits to why others would want the machines. They compiled the information and presented it to the administration. Much like an entrepreneur presents a business plan to potential investors, Josh and Anthony, both potential high school dropouts, presented their case.

They were successful. The profits will go towards a small yearbook the students have desired for a while. A little ambition resulted in a win-win for the academy and students. This is the type of experience that can speak volumes to a student's potential. Josh and Anthony took a simple request and made it a reality. This is the type of story Simon Youth Foundation works to replicate. They may not realize their impact right now, but it's like a stone thrown in water - the ripples continue. Their example shows others if they start here, they can go anywhere.

Meet CVS Pathways to Logistics Graduate Lisa Michell Adair-Averitte

Simon Youth Foundation and CVS Caremark partnered for the Pathways to Logistics program to offer internships for selected Simon Youth Academy students. This opportunity exposed students to careers in logistics and helped broaden students’ educational, personal and professional development. Lisa Michell Adair Averitte is one of the graduates who completed the program and this is her story.

SYF: Tell us a little about your background and how you came to the Simon Youth Pacers Academy.

Adair-Averitte: I wasn’t motivated to get anything done in school. The academy changed my attitude. I’ve always had a problem getting things done 100% right. I used to just get things done so they were done and not check it. Everyone’s kept me on task to get things done on-time and right. Now I do that with everything.

SYF: What did you do during the internship?

Adair-Averitte: This was my first job experience, so I got to see how everything works. In the distribution center, I mostly packed boxes and there was a certain way of doing things. I had to get everything in, make sure there was enough packing bubbles and stuff like that. At the end, I had to initial it basically saying I did it right so if I didn’t it was on me.

SYF: What is something you will take away from this experience?

Adair-Averitte: I’m a hard worker, but used to working by myself. Since I had never done this before or worked in this type of place, I needed to ask for help and understand that I didn’t know everything. That was hard, but I think it helped me learn that lesson.

SYF: What are your plans for the future?

Adair-Averitte: I want to work here. It seemed like it was a good job and something I can move around in so I don’t get bored. I want the chance to move up and eventually work in the office. I’ve got goals to be a manager or something like that. I think I can do it.”

Stories like these are why SYF is important. It gives youth at risk of dropping out a second chance and the hope they can achieve anything they want. It’s the goal of becoming a CVS Warehouse Manager like Lisa that lends credibility to the notion that youth start here to go anywhere. Congratulations to Lisa and all the graduates of the CVS Caremark Pathways program.

Meet CVS Pathways to Logistics Graduate Patrick Casteel

Simon Youth Foundation and CVS Caremark partnered for the Pathways to Logistics program to offer internships for selected Simon Youth Academy students. This opportunity exposed students to careers in logistics and helped broaden students’ educational, personal and professional development. Patrick Casteel is one of the graduates who completed the program and this is his story.

SYF: Tell us a little about your background and how you came to the Simon Youth Pacers Academy.

Casteel: I came to the academy after falling behind in my classes. It provided me a chance to get what I needed done and do it at my pace. I like school now and am moving on to college. I’ve already been accepted to ITT Tech for Engineering.

SYF: What did you do during the internship?

Casteel: I got to learn about the basics of packing a box which seems simple, but there’s a lot of reasons why they do it a certain way. Laws, regulations, getting it out on time, making it easy to get it to the next person – everything affects the next thing. We also did other stuff, but that part caught my attention.

SYF: What is something you will take away from this experience?

Casteel: This was my first real job. I was shaking doing the interview, but they calmed me down so I could show them I could do it. I’ll definitely be ready for my next interview thanks to the program.

SYF: What are your plans for the future?

Casteel: I want to be an entrepreneur and start my own business. It will likely be with my degree in Electrical Engineering or something like that. This internship and my academy work has given me confidence to do it.

Stories like these are why SYF is important. It gives youth at risk of dropping out a second chance and the hope they can achieve anything they want. It’s the goal of becoming an entrepreneur like Patrick that lends credibility to the notion that youth start here to go anywhere. Congratulations to Patrick and all the graduates of the CVS Caremark Pathways program.

From Obstacle to Reward

From left to right: Patrick Casteel, Miquel Davis,
Melanie McKinley Miller, Lisa Michel Adair-Averitte

Four individuals, each with different circumstances, came to the Simon Youth Pacers Academy at Washington Square for the purpose of graduating high school. While doing their studies they were offered an opportunity to participate in an internship with CVS Caremark called the Pathways to Logistics in Indianapolis, Indiana. This unique partnership gives deserving students an opportunity to get real work experience so they can get on track towards a successful career.

These youth went through a formal application and interview process. Patrick Casteel said this was one of the most helpful parts for him. He feels this preparation will serve him well in the future.

“This was my first real job,” Casteel said. “I was shaking doing the interview, but they calmed me down so I could show them I could do it. I’ll definitely be ready for my next interview thanks to the program.”

Outside of practical work-related skills, Lisa Michell Adair-Averitte said the most educational experience was the interactions with co-workers.

“I’m a hard worker, but used to working by myself,” said Adair-Averitte. “Since I had never done this before or worked in this type of place, I needed to ask for help and understand that I didn’t know everything. That was hard, but I think it helped me learn that lesson.”

Miquel Davis didn’t know what to expect when walking through the doors the first day. She was both nervous and excited at the opportunity to work. She now believes the sky’s the limit.

“I liked everything I did here,” said Davis. “It wasn’t easy but I think I can do anything now because I learned how to deal with people better. I think I could work in the warehouse for a while and move into a manager role - that’s not something I thought about before.”

Start Here. Go Anywhere. is not just a tagline, it’s a window of opportunity Melanie McKinley Miller now believes in with this internship.

“I’d like to have a job here to get me started, but down the road I’d like to do something with art and fashion,” said Miller. “I really like interior design or start a company like that. This experience helped think I could do it.”

Along with a certificate of completion, each student receives a $1,000 stipend. Learn more about each of these students as we dive deeper into their experience over the next several days.

It's a New Year

It’s a new year with all the desires to make this the one in which you make changes in life that will positively affect you. A few days removed from the start of 2013, have you stuck with the resolutions you’ve made? Did you make any? Many people list ‘lose weight,’ ‘join a gym’ or ‘quit a bad habit.’ What about learning? Education is not your typical resolution. Being a lifelong learner can be an invaluable asset as you go about your personal and professional life. The more you know and know how to do, the better chance you can be successful in any endeavor - even losing weight.

Industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie once said, "If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes."

The challenge we face today is too many youth don’t have the opportunity to even begin this process. Receiving a quality education is not always at the top of the list for the youth we work with until they are told about the Simon Youth Academy. Many factors get in the way like family obligations, unexpected life circumstances or even bullying.

SYF wants to help lead this charge and ignite hope around the country. Sparking that fire within starts with you and extends through this Foundation. Without continued support of our academies and scholarships, these at-risk youth might not have the courage to even try.

We tell students if they start here they can go anywhere. Carrying a high school diploma opens doors and windows of opportunity. Aside from that, they are learning the importance of continuing education beyond the classroom. Whether they decide to enter the work force, technical college, junior college or university, they now have that option.

SYF has a number of milestones it is celebrating in 2013 - 15-year anniversary, 10,000 graduates and providing more than $10 million in scholarships. SYF is one solution to the high school dropout problem, but we can’t do it alone. We need your help to raise awareness about who we are and why we do it. We resolve to expand the number of at-risk youth we impact. Join us – we have 362 days left!