We are a grass roots organization revolutionizing the way equity based academic enrichment programming is delivered. Social emotional learning is critical to reaching untap potential that often goes unnoticed because of barriers to scholars' ability to navigate life’s challenges. We believe that with social connection, belonging, identity – young scholars can flourish and realize their full potential. Our pay it forward model rewards every participant in the teaching cycle – Student scholar, university mentor coaches, teachers and volunteers.
The 21st Century challenge we are facing in the state of Delaware and beyond is the necessity to improve math mastery in our youth. Learning loss is at an all-time high and exasperated because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Per DOE website, DE student mastery declined -16% to 26% (2019 to 2021) and African American proficiency is 18% (62% well below math mastery and 26% below proficiency).
It is our desire to be part of solutioning and ensuring students get the curriculum based small group & One2One coaching with a social emotional focus needed to change the trajectory of our Nation's youth - providing supplemental academic coaching that will lead to better student academic outcomes and a chance for each to pursue meaningful careers.
We supplement teaching resources with university mentor coaching model used to increase student scholar engagement through exposure/access to university mentor coaches (UMC) each could emulate.
VETF’s primary differentiator is our relationship based holistic approach to academic enrichment support that prioritizes student scholars' social emotional needs as a gateway to increasing student scholar engagement. According to Nami, 46% of youth ages 12 – 17 who have depression did not seek care in 2021. Students are more likely to drop out of school because of a clinical event. VETF seeks to offer non-clinical wellness services as a safety net and proactive approach to support student scholars as we develop academic proficiency along the way.
Who We Serve : Currently, we are shifting our service offerings towards students in middle school grades 5 through 8 who need assistance accelerating academic proficiency in Math (our flagship product). We are focused on services to youth with financial need and those who have parents with means, but may desire assistance accelerating academic proficiency necessary to develop into future career centric citizens. We approach our work using an individual learner model with an emphasis on social emotional support.
All proceeds will go towards providing tutoring scholarships to youth across the state of Delaware. Please help us reach our goal of raising $500 for each hour of the Do More 24 giving campaign.
County Served: Kent; New Castle; Sussex
Office Location(s): Wilmington
Sector: Arts & Culture; BIPOC-Led (Board); BIPOC-Led (CEO/ED); BIPOC-Led (Sr/Exec Leadership); Community Advocacy; Community Improvement; Education; Healthcare; Kids; Mental Health & Crisis Prevention; Science & Technology; Youth Development