Bedtime Math Foundation Competitors

Vetri Community Partnership nourishes minds, bodies, and communities with nutrition education through cooking.

Philadelphia's SquashSmarts is an award-winning free out-of-school time youth mentoring program improving the lives of public school students. Incorporated in November 2000, SquashSmarts is a 501c3 non-profit academic and athletic mentoring program with a proven track record of keeping kids in school, in shape, and on track for graduation. SquashSmarts works with 6th-12th grade students who are selected based on commitment, effort and attitude, not athletic or academic ability. Operating out of two facilities, the Lenfest Center (North Philadelphia) and Drexel’s Daskalakis Athletic Center (West Philadelphia), students attend practices three days each week focusing on SquashSmarts’ Five Pillars: (1) Academic Support, (2) Squash Instruction, (3) Fitness and Nutrition, (4) Personal Achievement, and (5) Leadership. Students also participate in competitive squash opportunities, community service projects, cultural outings, and special events. A seven-year commitment to each child ensures long-term success by providing a team, a family, a safety net and a sense of belonging. Strong one-on-one relationships with staff and volunteers are the key to fostering every child’s success and breaking the cycle of Philadelphia’s public school drop-out rate. Put simply, SquashSmarts is giving kids their best shot!

Mission Statement: For Chicagoland youth who desire and deserve more, MetroSquash combines academic support, competitive squash, and enrichment to empower students to realize their potential and make their mark. The first MetroSquash class consisted of 10 students in 5th grade. The program operated out of space rented from the University of Chicago. In 2015, the MetroSquash Academic and Squash Center was opened, which now allows MetroSquash to serve over 400 students and families per year. In Fall 2018, MetroSquash opened its first satellite location in Evanston to serve underrepresented students on the north side; it started with a group of 20 6th graders and will add a class every year. MetroSquash operates seven days a week during the school year and offers a robust summer camp. By taking a pathway approach from 5th grade to post-secondary completion, we ensure our students receive the support they need at every level of the pathway. Our program is comprised of four key pillars: squash & fitness, academics & enrichment, social work & supportive services, and college & careers. On average, students dedicate 10 hours per week to MetroSquash and that time is equally divided between academics and squash. We focus on four main outcomes: 1) increasing academic achievement, 2) improving health and wellness, 3) providing career and life skills training, and 4) engaging families in support of student success. By taking a long-term approach to support, we feel that we are better equipped to help our students address the multitude of obstacles they face in their community. To date, MetroSquash has experienced a 100% high school graduation rate, 100% college acceptance rate, 98% college enrollment rate, 100% post-secondary matriculation rate, and 88% of students are on track to graduate college. Please see below for a more detailed description of our Pathway Program.