Summer Bridge 2023

Students new to the post-secondary experience as well as those who are transitioning to their 2nd through 4th years are included in the Summer Bridge program. Over the course of the Summer, we maintain contact with students through emails, text messages and social media. School-related items including planners, notebooks and other school supplies, and tees/hoodies with the Marcy Scholarship logo are distributed to students.  In August, we host workshops for students which focus on the first pillar of our mentoring program (The School Experience) with an emphasis on readiness for the Fall semester, academic support, issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, increased self-efficacy and the importance of students identifying institutional resources available at the colleges or trade schools they will be attending. The 2023 Summer Bridge workshop was facilitated by Love & Kindness Wellness Service, LLC and we plan to utilize them for 2024 as well.   All of these efforts help to address “Summer Melt” -- an apt descriptor for the fact that many students who are accepted into college or trade school, never actually enroll, and many who do enroll never make it to the second year.  And the problem persists beyond the first year of college!  Low-income students in particular need financial support and guidance in the period immediately following high school and for the duration of their post-secondary experience. Research has shown that nearly 40% of low- income students are impacted by “summer melt”.  

This Summer, we are considering expanding the Summer Bridge program to include high school juniors and seniors -- students who are not yet in our program.  We would potentially address college readiness and other issues with them.

100% of MHMSF participants who participate in Summer Bridge are “in their seats” for the Fall semester.

Look at those colleges! Yes! Marcy students are getting it done!!! We held our annual Summer Bridge program on Saturday focusing on key pathways for success in school, emotional health (thank you @LKwellness_ ) and discussions around career counseling, financial management, community service, and wisdom sharing among students (with a special thanks to BR @marydayliliart )!

Thank you @JobsPlus_BedStuy for hosting us in your space at 630 Flushing and lending your voices to the discussion!