Mikva Challenge DC

Mikva Challenge DC is now accepting applications for our TWO unique citywide, civic engagement, high school YOUTH COUNCILS that provide an opportunity for DC students to elevate their voice in local decision-making with other youth changemakers while earning over 50+ community service hours, going on trips out of the city, and receiving a stipend! We need your help in sharing these incredible opportunities with your students.

The Safety and Justice Youth Council and the Citywide Student Voice Council are 8-month dynamic leadership development experiences that develop youth to be empowered, informed, and active citizens who will promote a just and equitable society. Students will create and advocate for youth-based solutions to the pressing issues that impact them, their communities, schools, city, and the nation.  These Youth Councils will research solutions to address key local issues, advocate to decision makers, and help implement their recommendations.

The priority deadline for both the Safety and Justice Council Applications and the Citywide Student Voice Council Applications  is September 14, 2023, but applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis.

Contact:

Voncia Monchais (she, her, hers)

Managing Director of Programs

Mikva Challenge DC

Cell: 215.868.8453

Website: https://mikvachallenge.org/locations/washington-dc/ 

NEW Address: 1100 15th St NW, suite 400. Washington, DC 20005

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The YLA is a year-long program that starts with a 4-day virtual training. Young people participating in the YLA are provided a platform to practice their leadership, team building, and communication skills. YLA youth also build upon their knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and target core issues impacting young people, such as gender inequality and climate change. During the Academy, YLA youth will design innovative projects to implement in their schools and communities for the 2021/22 academic year with the support of small grants and an assigned mentor from Plan’s youth network.

Plan offers financial aid for applicants who are eligible and unable to cover the registration fee. Interested students may apply at www.planusa.org/yla. I have attached a brochure with more information. *Priority application deadline is June 1st 

GapBuster offers programs to area youth in elementary, middle, and high schools during the school year in the form of after-school and extracurricular activities focused on leadership building and academic enrichment. During the summer we also open our program to all school-aged children for summer activities.

We are 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Awardee and a Public School Opportunities Enhancement Grant Program with MSDE

Our Virtual Student Tutoring Program is funded by a Community Foundation Grant. Click HERE to visit our Tutorial Program webpage. 

• Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America
  Application Closing Date: December 14
  Amount: Free to participate!
  GPA Requirement: 3.5
  Description: LEDA is open to current high school Juniors who are U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident or DACA, have a minimum 3.5 GPA and an annual household income under $90,000. The LEDA program is made up of three parts – an intensive seven-week Summer Institute over the summer before a student’s senior year (completely free of charge for LEDA Scholars), College Guidance work following the Summer Institute and during the student’s senior year of high school and ongoing support from the College Success team during college. 

Pre-College Programs

Moore College of Art & Design

We have two pre-college opportunities for your students who are interested in Art & Design. 

1. Summer Art & Design Institute (SADI)

• Open to female identifying and nonbinary students in grades 10-12

• Four week live on campus program

• Earn college-credits and become eligible for a $2,500 annual scholarship upon acceptance to Moore’s BFA program!

2. Youth Artists Workshop (YAW)

• Open to students of any gender in grades 3–12

• Mix of traditional in-person classes and online offerings

• Free Summer STEM Program in Andover, Massachusetts
  Application Closing Date: December 31
  Amount: Free to participate! No Tuition or fees, transportation included
  Requirements: 9th graders, Able too attend the overnight camp for the entire period June 28th - July 31st.
  Description: Founded by Phillips Academy in 1977, Mathematics & Science for Minority Students—better known as (MS)2—is a three-summer residential program held on the Phillips Academy campus in Andover, Mass. It is free of charge to selected scholars! Beginning the summer after 9th grade, the five-week STEM program is open to African American, Latinx, and Native American students who have a demonstrated financial need. Rigorous yet infused with fun, (MS)2 boosts academic proficiency, improves self-confidence, and promotes independence in a safe and supportive environment. (MS)2 operates concurrently with the Academy's Summer Session, which offers academic enrichment to 550 students from around the United States and abroad.

  1. Complete Online Application – www.andover.edu/ms2 • Applicant’s Personal Essays/Short Answer Questions • Teacher Recommendations (Math, Science, Guidance Counselor and Supplemental) • Parent/Guardian Questions • Parent/Guardian Financial Statement (Income Verification) 

  2. Complete Online Math Assessment 

  3. Application Deadline – December 31st 

Questions?  Call (978) 749-4402 or email ms2@andover.edu 

University of Southern California - USC Summer Program

You are now invited to apply now for in-person 2022 USC Summer Programs. We can't wait to welcome our highly motivated high school students back to campus next summer! 

Summer Programs runs from June 19 to July 16.

Cost of Attendance: $9,560

Application fee $65

Join us for an academically rigorous, socially packed 4-week summer experience. Whether you are interested in breaking down the molecular biology of today’s lunch or developing a character from a short story to put into a college portfolio, USC Summer Programs allows you to take intellectual risks, hone your skills, discover your passions, and kick start your college experience!

Choose from over 20 courses in multiple disciplines –– from business and engineering to acting and creative writing, there's a wide range of courses and subjects for you to explore.

Take a minute, begin your application, and discover what summer could be!

Click Here to Register

We look forward to welcoming you to campus this summer!

Applications Open November 3rd.

summer@usc.edu | summer.usc.edu 

• Online Summer Programs for Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies - 2 weeks
  Application Closing Date: March 15
  Amount: $2,700 Financial aid Available
  Requirement: Grades 8-11
  Description: Engage in advanced topics not commonly taught in high school. Choose from over 30 online courses in computer science, philosophy, business, social justice, and more. See Flyer for more information.

• Stanford Summer Humanities Institute  - 2 weeks
  Application Closing Date: March 15
  Amount: $3,000 Financial aid Available
  Requirement: Grades 8-11
  Description: Explore the big questions at the heart of the humanities in online seminars led by Stanford professors and graduate students. See Flyer for more information.

In-School Youth Leadership Program (ISYLP) - P

Application Closing Date: January 14th 

Paid Internship Starts February and ends August 2022

Description: Paid Internship. Work with a mentor to learn more about how to be prepared for a future career opportunity or a future college opportunity.  

 Requirements: 

• Ages 16 to 21

• Junior or Senior

• 2.75+ GPA

• Good Attendance

• Available to work up to 10 hours per week

• For more details email CLD@dc.gov or call (202) 442-9700.

• This internship and application are posted on our website www.dchr.dc.gov, under the Learning and Development tab.

• Youth Engagement Through Science program at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum
  Application Closing Date: January 31st - Link to Apply.
  Program Dates: June - November
  Requirement: Ages 14-19, in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, US citizen or Permanent Resident, live in the DMV, Interested in Science
  Description: YES! is a paid (in-person) internship program ($2500) that connects Washington, DC metro area teens with Smithsonian collections, experts, technology, and training. The program provides youth from populations that are traditionally or historically underrepresented in science careers an opportunity to engage in an immersive, hands-on experience and assist them in achieving the goal of attending college. Since 2010, YES! has immersed teens in science research across the Smithsonian and exposed them to a variety of STEM careers by giving them an opportunity to work side-by-side with Smithsonian science staff, researchers, and educators. Please email YouthNMNH@si.edu or call 202-633-4588 with any questions. 

Exelon Foundations STEM Leadership Academy

The Exelon Foundation STEM Leadership Academy is a free, week-long in-person event. Learn from women working in STEM and business leaders. Visit energy facilities. Explore sustainability, energy efficiency, renewable energy and climate change. Connect with like-minded peers. Successful applicants will spend the week attending educational sessions, improving leadership and professional skills, and tackling a weeklong group challenge. Young women will have the opportunity to meet business and community leaders and converse with women currently working in STEM.

July 30-August 4

University of Maryland, College Park

Visit www.ExelonSTEMAcademy.org for more information and links to apply.

Open to young women currently in 10th or 11th grade that live in

• Washington D.C.

• Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, and Prince George, Somerset, Talbot, Queen Anne's, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties Maryland

• Kent, New Castle, or Sussex Counties Delaware

If you or your students have questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact Rebecca.

Rebecca Lamb

Program Director

The NEED Project

703-257-1117