Laura Yurdin Birzell
Join Laura in support of young people in South King County!
Fundraising for Summer Search
Story
WHY SUMMER SEARCH?
I've been on the Board of Summer Search for over 5 years now. I was drawn to the organization's mission because they aspire to support our youth reach their true potential and thrive.
My mother was not born in the US and immigrated when she was just a young girl (age 7). Her parents did everything in their power to ensure she was educated because being educated meant you could achieve anything. I was raised the same way. When I sit down with a Summer Search student, I have this immediate connection (and reminder) of the values instilled in me. Remove barriers. Hard-working. Big dreams.
Summer Search is a REAL mechanism of investing in someone's bright future. You can help support our youth in honing the skills needed to graduate from high school and post-secondary. When this happens in first-generation college-bound families, there
is a ripple effect. Siblings realize they too can go to college. Parents have been known to finish or pursue degrees of their own. Communities are lifted up. Cycles of poverty can be broken. COVID has been disproportionality difficult on this population-- join me, invest in our youth and donate!
ABOUT SUMMER SEARCH
The 550 young people they partner with have limitless potential but must also navigate systemic barriers in order to reach it. 93% of participants are first-generation college students, 97% identify as people of color, and all qualify for free or reduced lunch. All of them have strengths, potential, and dreams for their future. Through long-term mentoring, summer experiences, and tailored support to succeed in their chosen careers, Summer Search gives students tools to unlock their potential and become thriving adults with rewarding careers, financial wellbeing, and a sense of purpose. And IT WORKS! Summer Searchers are 3x more likely to graduate from college than their peers and report average incomes 2-3x that of their families.
MATCHING INFO
Help us unlock a $200,000 Matching Challenge! Thanks to generous Matching Challenge contributors, all donations of $500+ will be DOUBLED and donations of $2,500+ will be TRIPLED!
