Spark

Spark’s mission is to provide life-changing apprenticeships to youth in disadvantaged communities across the United States.

30% of students in the United States drop out of high school, with the dropout rate exceeding 50% in the highest need neighborhoods. This is one of the greatest social justice issues of our time.

Spark addresses the dropout crisis by connecting volunteer professionals with underserved youth in workplace apprenticeships to “spark” their potential. Students identify a “dream job,” and Spark matches that student with a mentor doing that job. These apprenticeships are complemented by a Leadership Class, which helps students connect apprenticeship learning to school. As students explore the school-to-career connection, they build skills critical for academic success, gain a strong appreciation for the relevance of their education, and become motivated to work hard to achieve their dreams.

Spark is a national nonprofit that provides life-changing apprenticeships to middle school students from disadvantaged communities. Spark’s one-on-one workplace apprenticeships empower young people to succeed in their education and beyond.