Summer Bridge 2024

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

The SUMMER BRIDGE event, first introduced in 2021, is part of our mentoring program and has as its goal countering the effects of “Summer Melt” -- an apt descriptor for the fact that many students who are accepted into college or trade school, never actually enroll. Research has shown that nearly 40% of low- income students are impacted by “summer melt”. Our students – both those 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. 

Throughout the Summer, we maintain contact with students through emails, checklists, text messages and social media. In August, we host a workshop for students which focuses 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. As part of Summer Bridge, students are provided with planners, notebooks and other supplies. 

Summer Bridge 2024 also focused on the second pillar of our mentoring program: career development.  We included a career exploration/networking session to provide an opportunity for participants to be introduced and reintroduced to workforce development organizations and also to professionals in various fields including technology/web design,  law, film making, web design, urban planning, and project management. We were also joined by the internship director of Lincoln University, an HBCU. 

Participants were provided with padfolios which we received as an in-kind grant from 4imprint’s One-By-One Charitable Giving Program!