Suzanne has supported Summer Search for 5 years and has been a Seattle Board member since 2016 and recently joined the Summer Search National Board. Why Suzanne supports Summer Search:

• My mom was the first to graduate college in our family and I have experienced, firsthand, how education can transform families for generations. 94% of Summer Search students are first generation college bound
• The students are incredible, and I have witnessed the power of change through this program. I watch them strengthen their sense of self, lose the boundaries that were holding back their dreams, and thrive with confidence.
• I’m a big believer that everyone needs a mentor, especially these students. Summer Search students start with a full-time, professional mentor at age 15. The mentoring program continues through college. The path for many of these students would get derailed if it wasn’t for the power of the mentor relationships. It’s a big part of the secret sauce that makes this program so successful.

Mike has been supporting Summer search alongside Suzanne and had the opportunity to help in partnership with SAP Concur. Why Mike supports Summer Search:

• There are systemic inequities in our society. I was fortunate to have a privileged upbringing and I am excited to support programs that provide long-term solutions to assisting those with fewer privileges. Summer Search serves communities from where only 25%  attend college and changes the equation. Last year, 100% of their high school students graduated and 89% matriculated to a college this past fall.
  
• I like to support the strongest ROI (return on investment). The change that this program provides will multiply in the future. We know that the success of these kids has an impact on their siblings. As they have families of their own, we know their next generation will know no bounds. That’s ROI!
• As Suzanne stated, these students are incredible. I have met some of them, been a co-worker with some of them and they are nothing short of inspiring. I am confident that they are our future leaders.  The one thing they all say is “I just wouldn’t be at this place in my life without Summer Search”.

We are asking for your help. The combination of the fundraiser being cancelled and the fact these students and their families are truly affected by the economic impact of Covid 19, make this an urgent request. Please help with any size gift that you can.

Mike & Suzanne

We're ALL IN for 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. 

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!