Helios Education Foundation Julie Norwood, Program Specialist, Community Impact Center of Excellence August 21, 2013

About Helios Education Foundation Created through the sale of Southwest Student Services, a student loan services company Established in 2004 Philanthropic organization focused exclusively on education Serves Arizona and Florida More than $130 million invested in education- related programs and initiatives across the two states

Mission To enrich the lives of individuals in Arizona and Florida by creating opportunities for success in postsecondary education.

Our Focus Early Childhood Education Transition Years Postsecondary Success

Helios’ Education Impact Continuum Children enter school ready to succeed Transition Years Pre-Kindergarten Early Childhood Education Elementary School Middle School High School School Youth successfully transition and graduate prepared Young adults complete postsecondary education Postsecondary Success Higher Education and Vocational Training Adults are equipped with skills and knowledge to compete in a global economy and enjoy improved quality of life

Early Childhood Education Ensuring children, ages birth to 5, enter school prepared to learn and succeed. –Improving early childhood teacher quality –Integrating emergent literacy and language curriculum into postsecondary programs –Bridging early childhood and K-3 education

Transition Years Helping youth stay in school, transition between the various stages of education and graduate academically prepared for postsecondary education. Emphasis on STEM education and quality STEM educators Foster students’ personal growth, character development and college readiness Improve family and community engagement in student success

Postsecondary Success Providing young adults with the financial, academic and personal support they need to succeed in postsecondary education. –Increase access for underserved populations –Create a pipeline of students and educators focused on STEM education –Cultivate early childhood education teachers and practitioners

Partnering with Helios Education Foundation Our approach to impacting education is different: –Educating –Partnering –Leading –Investing –Convening –Engaging Helios Education Foundation accepts only solicited requests for funding.

Ready Now Yuma: A Demonstration of a Whole District Transformation Graduating every YUHSD student prepared to succeed in college and career; Embedding a college-going culture within YUHSD; Increasing the number of YUHSD students entering and succeeding in postsecondary education. A bold new initiative that is working to ensure every student in YUHSD graduates prepared to succeed in college and career.

Early Literacy Collaborative Helios funded, community solution action plans to address literacy challenges such as school readiness, summer learning loss and chronic school absenteeism. Tucson

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