Throughout my professional life it has been my privilege to administer a variety of college and educational enrichment scholarship programs that provide opportunities for students from a diverse array of social and economic circumstances to advance their education and realize their highest potential.

I have learned that 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.

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. There are students caught in some of the poorest circumstances living in and around Chicago who are working hard, seeking support and achieving academic success. But how far can their hard work take them without the knowledge and experiences that enable them to dream bigger, reach higher and go farther.

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.

Unfortunately, these are the facts:

• The high school graduation rate in Chicago Public Schools is 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. Students from economically disadvantaged families in and around Chicago face several 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.

But we needn’t lose hope altogether. We need only look at the flip-side of these statistics to see that there are many young men and women who, despite challenging circumstances, successfully pursue their education, achieve their aspirations, lead personally fulfilling lives and contribute to society – some extraordinarily so.

Farther Foundation partners with schools and community organizations to identify students who demonstrate commitment to success through academic achievement, participation in support programs and a willingness to take a bold step beyond the familiar. We provide opportunities for students to travel worldwide and interact with individuals who have diverse backgrounds and experiences. They participate in programs which enable them to become immersed in new cultures and experiences, learn and develop skills, provide service, cultivate leadership potential and attain personal growth.

Long-term studies of participants of American Field Service intercultural travel programs found that those who had such opportunities demonstrate significantly less anxiety in dealing with cultural differences and are less prone to polarizing cultural differences. And, a study by the Institute for International Education of Students found that foreign study is a defining moment in a young person's life and continues to impact the participant’s life for years after the experience; More than 70 % of students report acquiring skill sets that influenced their career path, more than 80% say it enhanced their interest in academic study, and more than 95% had increased self-confidence.

Impact

Farther Foundation partners with schools and community organizations to provide scholarship support to students they serve – the results of the partnership are dramatic:

• Summer Quest, an educational travel program at the Chicago Public Schools, documents an 80% college enrolment rate for its travel program participants as compared to the system’s 30% overall rate.
• LINK Unlimited, a mentoring and support organization that works with Chicago area African-American students, since 2000 has enrolled 100% of its graduating seniors into four-year colleges. 
• Holy Trinity High School has attained three consecutive years of 100% college acceptance rates for its graduates.

Experience makes the larger world real. Participating in a unique endeavor builds confidence. Success fosters higher aspirations regarding what’s possible and greater expectations regarding what’s achievable.

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