Empowering low-income, first-generation students to and through college

K-12 STEAM education

San Gabriel Valley

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The academic achievement gap between students in low-income communities and those from middle or affluent communities is well documented. The statistics show that students who can attend and graduate from college are more likely to gain employment in life-supporting careers, thus breaking the cycle of poverty.
Our community of Pomona has 16.4% of households that live below the national poverty level, higher than the national average of 12.4%. Bright Prospect is working to help bridge this gap in education equity, supporting and empowering first-generation, low-income students in their educational and career journeys.
With the current cuts in education funding and changes to FAFSA and PELL Grants, programs that aren't deemed essential but "nice to have" are more important than ever. These are the circumstances where students who don't have the means, resources or support systems get lost in the cracks, missing opportunities that could change the course of their lives.

Bright Prospect is open to any high school student interested in attending and graduating from college with a bachelor's degree. The student population we serve is low-income (80%), first-generation (83%), students of color (98%). Students remain in our program from 9th grade through their completion of college, no matter how long it takes; this long-term commitment differentiates us from many other college access programs.
We designate staff coaches for each grade level, 9th through 12th, and College. Our signature program components include academic support, life-skills training, social-emotional learning, and individualized mentorship.
Bright Prospect partners with various local institutions, such as Harvey Mudd College, for special events for our students and provide numerous college recruitment events at our office. We also take students on cultural trips, such as museums, concerts, athletic games, and college campus field trips, to be exposed to various opportunities and experiences.
Once in college, we continue to work with our students. Our coaches provide regular connections with in-person and virtual visits to campuses. College programming highlights career exploration, career readiness, networking, and one-on-one support from coaches. Our curriculum includes College Success Workshops (CSWs), live and recorded, and covers topics such as Financial Aid, Mental Health, Financial Literacy, and First-Gen college students.

We believe in education for all and envision a world where anyone who wants a college education can have access to one. Bright Prospect’s goals have always been to improve the education, and consequently, the economic standing of at-promise youth in our community.
We aim to significantly increase the number of low-income, first-generation students who enroll, persist, retain, and graduate from college. In 2002, Bright Prospect began with only 12 high school junior and senior students. It has grown today to reach over 4,000 middle, high school, and college students, ages 14-26—each year.
Our organization was born out of an immediate need in our Pomona community, but our hope is to expand the program to meet the needs of other communities and school districts. We have developed a proven model that is transferable and scalable and could help reshape other communities within Los Angeles County, ultimately supporting LA2050’s goals of making Los Angeles one of the best places to LEARN.