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Participant Quote:

"Daren and the other
supporters of the program
showed me that they cared
and that I could make the
changes in myself to have
a better future. It has been
almost seventeen years
since Daren offered me the
opportunity to participate
in his program. I was not
in the program for long
and did not continue on
to finish college at that
time, but I always
remembered Daren's efforts
to help me. I feel I have
become a productive
member of the community
and am happy to announce
that I did go back to
school and will be starting
a Master of Science
program this fall."

- P.H.

Linkage to Education

 

M i s s i o n,   O r i g i n,    P r o c e s s,    O u t c o m e s

Our Mission - We believe that opening the door to a college education will help transform the lives of high-risk youths.

Our Origin - Developed in 1988, Linkage to Education is an innovative non-profit 501(c)3 that provides assistance to 17 and 18 year-old foster and probation youths in the passage from exiting institutional custody and care into post-secondary education programs in the Sacramento area. We supply textbooks and help with tuition waivers, assistance with financial aid information and forms and set up class schedules. Once in college, Linkage to Education provides on-campus support so each youth is assisted in navigating the barriers that may impinge on short- and long-term success (e.g., institutional, social and personal factors).

Our Process - We work to help our youths navigate through the changes and understand the transition they are going through in order to maximize their long-term success. To facilitate them exiting from one system and entering another, Linkage brings the program to the youths, instead of waiting for the youths to come to us. Whether the individuals are in group homes, foster homes or a juvenile detention facility, we come to them.

Our Outcomes - Just a sample of the outcomes from Linkage to Education:

  • Cost-effectively turns former dropouts, foster youth and juvenile offenders into college students who are pursuing positive goals.
  • Changes the public perception as well as the self-perception of these students that they are college material.
  • Strengthens the students’ ability to climb the social/economic ladder with improved academics and upgraded training skills.
  • Apply a realistic plan to help. These students who have never thought about the future answer the most basic question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Program Recognition - Linkage to Education has received state and national awards because of its innovation and success. This program has cross over appeal and it is reflected in diverse recognitions that it has received. The awards include:

  • Sacramento County Probation Department’s 1991 “Distinguished Service Award.”
  • Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Justice Cabinet and National Juvenile Detention Association’s 1992 “National Juvenile Justice Award of Merit.”
  • California School Board Foundation’s 1992 “Golden Bell Award.”
  • John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University’s 1996 “Innovations in American Government” Semifinalist.”
  • United Way California Capital Region “2001 Outstanding Partner Award.”

Why we need a new approach - Both populations of high-risk youth - from the juvenile justice system and from foster care -- have a common denominator. Upon release from institutional custody and care, their first year is a roller coaster ride. Statistically, both groups are at high risk of heading down the same path, with great probability of veering toward a return to the criminal justice system, welfare system, homelessness or worse. It is precisely the roller coaster effect that Linkage addresses and turns each youth into a student as well as a productive citizen.