Action Plan
The Seattle University Youth Initiative is an evolving entity that
will be refined and adjusted over time as we consult and learn from our
community partners. At the same time, the university’s Board of Trustees
has approved an Action Plan to guide the Initiative in its early years.
The plan sets forth two fundamental goals:
- Create a pipeline of support for low-income children and youth
living in the Bailey Gatzert neighborhood in order to enhance learning
at all levels and increase high school graduation rates and the pursuit
of higher education.
- Enhance Seattle University’s academic and co-curricular programs in
order to further animate the University’s mission of educating the whole
person, to professional formation, and to empowering leaders for a just
and humane world.
Cradle to College
The Initiative’s emphasis initially will be on the preschool children
who will attend Bailey Gatzert Elementary School and those already
enrolled at the school. The idea is to expand the focus over time to
provide a comprehensive pipeline of support for students that begins
before they enter kindergarten, continues through Bailey Gatzert, and
then on through Washington Middle School and Garfield High School. As
our students, faculty, staff and alumni partner with community
organizations to serve the youth of our neighborhood, Seattle
University’s academic environment will be dramatically enriched.
Overview
The Action Plan approved by the Trustees details the Initiative’s
strategies, expected outcomes, indicators of success and specific
activities. Here is a brief overview of what we intend to do and the
results we seek:
- We will build upon our partnerships with the schools and
organizations in our neighborhood to ensure that children enter
kindergarten healthy and ready to learn, that students are supported and
successful throughout elementary, middle and high school, and that they
graduate from high school ready for college and careers.
- Working with our community partners, we will support a full range of
wrap-around services so that neighborhood families are able to meet
basic needs and actively take part in supporting their children in the
learning process.
- Our faculty will provide consultation and research support to
community organizations so they can more efficiently and effectively
deliver critical services to the youth and families of our neighborhood.
- We will increase deep learning experiences for students arising from
their community engagement activities; heighten faculty and student
research that supports the Youth Initiative; and provide opportunities
for staff and alumni to participate in the Initiative.
You are invited to read the document in its entirety by viewing the Action Plan (PDF).