CAROLINA YOUTH COALITION

TORCH FELLOWS PROGRAMOUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM PAIRS HIGH-ACHIEVING, UNDER-RESOURCED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CALLED "FELLOWS," WITH MENTORS AND A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF COLLEGE-PREPARATORY RESOURCES THROUGH A HIGH-TOUCH OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES PERSONALIZED COLLEGE APPLICATION GUIDANCE, ACT PREP, WRITING COACHING, COLLEGE TOURS, CAREER EXPLORATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND A TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED PEERS. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE EACH FELLOW IS PREPARED TO IDENTIFY, GAIN ENTRANCE TO, AND SUCCESSFULLY MATRICULATE THROUGH A BEST-FIT COLLEGE WITH AS LITTLE DEBT AS POSSIBLE. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO FELLOWS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)344 FELLOWS IN GRADES 9-12 WERE ENROLLED IN THE TORCH FELLOWS PROGRAM FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, A 38% ANNUAL INCREASE. 87% OF HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS WERE FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND 92% WERE PELL-ELIGIBLE.RESULTS:- 5-POINT AVERAGE ACT SCORE GROWTH; AVERAGE SCORE OF 23 (U.S. AVERAGE - 19.7)- 57% OF SENIORS MET 3+ ACT BENCHMARKS (U.S. AVERAGE - 22%)- 99% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT (4-YEAR (92%) | 2-YEAR (7%))-$25M IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS EARNED, $10M IN SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS REDEEMED- 68% OF SENIORS ATTENDING COLLEGE DEBT-FREE

COLLEGE FELLOWS PROGRAMGRADUATES OF CYC'S TORCH FELLOWS PROGRAM TRANSITION TO BECOMING COLLEGE FELLOWS AND ARE ENROLLED IN THE COLLEGE PERSISTENCE PROGRAM TO ENSURE THEY SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO AND PERSIST THROUGH COLLEGE. SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUALIZED COLLEGE MATRICULATION SUPPORT DURING FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR, CONNECTION TO INTERNSHIP AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES, CAREER COACHING AND MENTORING, AND EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE FELLOWS GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE WITH STRONG CAREER AND POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTS AND ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN MAKING A CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO FELLOWS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)209 COLLEGE FELLOWS WERE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.RESULTS:- 97% FRESHMEN RETENTION RATE- 93% SOPHOMORE RETENTION RATE- 94% OF COLLEGE FELLOWS REMAINED ENROLLED OR HAVE COMPLETED A DEGREE PROGRAM WITHIN SIX YEARS.- 32 COLLEGE GRADUATES- CYC'S FIRST THREE COHORTS OF ALUMNI EARN AN AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME OF $58,000 - 45% MORE THAN THEIR PARENTS' HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF $40,000.