Teen Trendsetters Program Grants

Geographic Scope: United States (particularly strong in Florida, Texas, and other states)

Focus Areas:

• Reading mentoring programs
• Pairing teen mentors with elementary students (grades 1-3)
• Supporting students reading 6+ months behind grade level
• Building home libraries for participating students
• Developing teen leadership and volunteer skills

Program Description:
Teen Trendsetters pairs high school volunteers with struggling readers in early elementary grades (1st, 2nd, 3rd) who are reading approximately six months or more behind grade level. Mentors receive training and meet regularly with mentees for one-on-one sessions using specialized curriculum.

Program Structure:

• One-on-one reading mentoring
• Regular meetings between teen mentors and elementary students
• Curriculum designed to improve children's reading skills
• Home library component: 18 books provided to each mentee
• Parent involvement contracts requiring reinforcement at home
• Teen leadership and volunteer hour tracking

Program Results (2017-2018):

• Reading skills increased 1.14 grade levels in seven months
• 39% more growth than expected for average student
• Teen mentors: 44% reported improved own reading skills
• Teen mentors reported improved leadership, communication, teamwork skills
• 96% teen mentor graduation rate
• 80%+ of teen seniors anticipated college attendance

ROI (Return on Investment):

• Total economic/fiscal benefits for one year: $90,572,948
• For every $1 invested in Teen Trendsetters, taxpayers see $7.83 ROI in avoided social program costs

Program Reach (Since 2002):

• 70+ programs in Florida
• 22 programs in Polk and Miami-Dade counties (funded by State Farm grant)
• 24 programs across Texas
• Over 48,000 students served
• Over 500,000 volunteer/contact hours
• Over 365,000 books distributed to at-home libraries

Recent Funding Examples:

• State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Grant (2019): Supported 22 programs in Polk and Miami-Dade counties
• State Farm total support since 2004: Nearly $950,000

Eligibility:

• High school students willing to volunteer
• Elementary students (1st-3rd grade) reading 6+ months behind
• Schools and districts with literacy challenges
• Community-based organizations

Contact:

• Lauren Sproull, Vice President of Communications: 850.562.5300 or Lauren.Sproull@barbarabush.org
• Address: P.O. Box 14141, College Station, TX 77841-4141
• Phone: (979) 862-2251
• Email: bush.foundation@bush41.org