August 17, 2008

TUCSON- 28 students at Desert View High School have a new incentive to stay in school: challenge grants! Youth Education Security, Inc. (Y.E.S!) is the first organization in the United States to offer monetary incentives to deeply impoverished students to stay in school. The First Job program provides students the opportunity to have their efforts to stay in school financially rewarded.

Last spring, over 50 Desert View students applied to the program despite limited advertising efforts.  Now, the 28 students selected for the program have a challenge ahead of them.  They must attend classes, achieve above passing grades, and be free from any disciplinary action in order to earn $25 per week.

Desert View High School is the third school to launch the First Job program.  School administrators are optimistic about the impact the program will have on Desert View students. They hope the stipends will help ease pressure on students to dropout of school to work. 

The principal of Desert View, Dawn Maddock-Pea, views the First Job program as a perfect complement to Sunnyside's Project Graduation Initiative.  She stated, It gives us one more way to reach out to students and help them feel connected to the school and to be supported in their pursuit of a high school diploma.  Desert View is committed to do whatever it takes to ensure success of our students." 

Currently, Y.E.S! is working with Wells Fargo to help students open bank accounts. Y.E.S! welcomes the participation of private and public sector to improve educational opportunities for low-income youth.