Farther Foundation was formed to help students break free from the constraints of poverty and gain experiences that propel them toward their highest aspirations.

We provide opportunities for eager and deserving students to travel worldwide and interact with individuals who have diverse backgrounds and experiences. They participate in programs where they are immersed in new cultures and experiences, learn and develop skills, provide community service, cultivate leadership potential and attain personal growth.

Barriers to success:

• socio-economic isolation,
• lack of diverse role models for success,
• lack of opportunities for enrichment and advancement
• and lack of educational enrichment resources.

The data:

• The high school graduation rate in Chicago Public Schools is about 54%.
• Less than half of the graduates go on to college,
• Only 8% of students who begin high school in the Chicago Public Schools go on to graduate college with a 4-year college degree by their mid 20s.

These numbers add up to a heavy burden on the cultural and economic health of our society, but more pointedly, these numbers are a summation of thousands of tragic individual stories of real people whose opportunities are few and whose hopes are diminished.

Benefits from participating in a Farther Foundation supported program:

• Students and families gain experience in program and financial aid exploration and application processes.
• Students and families become comfortable with the experience of being out of the home for an extended period.
• Students learn to cooperate, compete and succeed in new environments with unfamiliar surroundings and diverse populations of other students.
• Students’ knowledge and expectations regarding their educational and life opportunities are heightened.

Unfortunately these opportunities are often prohibitively expensive for students from lower income families. Yet it is these students who potentially have the most to gain.

What does high school and college graduation mean to an individual?

• High school graduates are more likely to vote, to have health insurance and to get a four year college degree.
• High school graduates live seven years longer than dropouts, and are 5-8 times less likely to be incarcerated.
• Households headed by high school graduates accumulate 10 times more wealth than those headed by dropouts.
• College graduates earn 60% more than high school graduates.
• College Graduates have increased personal/professional mobility, more hobbies and leisure activities, enhanced knowledge of world affairs, decreased levels of prejudice and improved quality of life for their offspring.

Travel is singular in its ability to open the eyes and unbind the aspirations of students whose experiences rarely escape the boundaries of their own neighborhoods. Inspired by experience students become active and engaged learners, full of potential and more fully aware of the world and its opportunities.

We rely on tax-deductible contributions to make these opportunities a reality for deserving students. You can Donate Now or Contact Us for more information.

David Weindling, Founder