Our Crowdfunding Groups
Native SOAR is a multigenerational mentoring program that centers its focus on the needs of American Indians/Alaska Native (AI/AN) K-20 students. This program was created in 2005 by Dr. Jenny Lee, Professor in the College of Education's Center for the Study of Higher Education at The University of Arizona, and Dr. Amanda Tachine, Assistant Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Since the creation of Native SOAR, the mentorship program has provided culturally responsive student support system services for students starting in middle school through doctoral education. Native SOAR has been recognized nationally, including by First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher initiative.
Native SOAR administers undergraduate students to serve as mentors for K-12 students by providing them with culturally relevant college planning information. To make sure each participant is supported holistically, undergraduate students are mentored by graduate students. Historically with so many structural barriers, AI/AN students have fallen behind their peers within high school graduation rates, college persistence rates, and college graduation rates. With the help of Native SOAR, participants have consistently outpaced their non-participant peers in first-to-second year retention and six-year graduation rates. Their proven track record of closing the educational achievement gap has made them a premier program for AI/AN students.
Native SOAR will use the money donated to them to help further the reach of their academic resources. The money will allow them to mentor more students in the future as well as start new programs through the organization. One main program the organization is hoping to expand their horizons and include is a STEM program. If enough money is raised, Native SOAR will create a STEM program their students can attend to expand their knowledge about the STEM industry.
In years past, education systems have lacked respect for indigenous people's diverse cultures. Schools near tribal locations often lack basic materials and the teachers often don't speak their languages. Indigenous students are more likely to arrive to school hungry, ill, and tired than their classmates. They are often bullied and discriminated against, culturally. These obstacles to equal access to the education cause poor performance and higher dropout rates for indigenous people than others.
Source: Native SOAR
https://coe.arizona.edu/native-soar
Source: United Nations
https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/mandated-areas1/education.html
