In Northeast Florida, one in three of our students will not graduate on time. The dropout crisis has a ripple effect throughout our community: dropouts are more likely to enroll in welfare or commit a crime than graduates.

Robert Balfanz, a principal research scientist at Johns Hopkins University, found that even in schools where 50 – 70 percent of students are struggling, almost all students have aspirations. The real challenge is to get them to connect their aspirations to effort, and Balfanz called for adults to help at-risk students pursue their dreams and show them academic pathways to success. The Achievers For Life initiative answers that call.

Students can be identified as at-risk as early as sixth grade. Achievers For Life identifies these students to provide family support, mentors, and help for students at school, as well as enhance parent engagement in their student’s education.

How can you help?

Just one caring adult can change the direction of the life of a child who is struggling emotionally and academically. A student with a mentor is more likely to stay in school and perform well, and less likely to get involved in drugs and alcohol. Become a mentor for one hour a week and change the course of a student’s life.

• Jewish Family & Community Services
• Communities In Schools of Jacksonville
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida
• Duval County Public Schools