Y.E.P Mini Grant Recipients

The YEP Collective Mini-Grant has provided up to $2,000 to support sustainable projects that directly reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student attendance. The grant prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, including programs that promote consistent school attendance, offer parent training to strengthen family engagement and clearly demonstrate it will decrease chronic absences and support long-term student success.

Grant Recipients:

Kareers 4 Kids Inc. – Career Connect: Attendance & Purpose Project ($2,000)

Serving 40–60 students in grades 9–12 at Southwest Guilford High School

Monthly career workshops, attendance incentives, parent engagement night, and recognition event

Links daily attendance to future goals and career pathways

Beyond Sports – The Great Game ($2,000)

Expanding to Ferndale and Welborn Middle Schools

Weekly sports programming during intervention periods (flag football, lacrosse, pickleball, etc.)

Serving approximately 40 students per school; requires positive grades, behavior, and attendance to participate

The Sister Circle International – CKE & G.L.O.W. Attendance Support Initiative ($2,000)

Serving 120+ K–8 youth across Title I schools and community sites

After-school STEAM enrichment and small-group mentoring

Addresses social-emotional barriers contributing to chronic absenteeism

Operation Xcel – STEM Afterschool Attendance Initiative ($2,000)

Serving 125 K–8 students at Southwest Middle School and Northwood Community Center

Motivational incentives including field trips and student store vouchers for students missing no more than 3 days per month

Parent workshops and attendance tracking tools

Adventist Community Restoration Center – Vibrant Futures ($2,000)

Serving students at Parkview Elementary School (Title I, “F” performance grade)

High-impact incentives (PS5 grand prize, sneakers, pizza parties, movie nights)

Parent workshops and gas cards to reduce transportation barriers