We are a community-based, non-profit organization working to promote student success and self-esteem through positive role models, leadership skills, and exploration of meaningful career paths. Youth Pathways leadership groups meet once a week throughout the school year at various public schools. Volunteers, called liaisons, facilitate a variety of activities to stimulate students' personal growth and help them develop valuable skills. Our liaisons enjoy working with today's youth and are positive communicators. They receive three hours of training and give a nine-month commitment to the program. Also, all volunteers in the schools are subject to an annual criminal background investigation. We also have volunteer guest speakers who are from all walks of life and talk about their career fields. Examples include law, real estate, building trades, engineering, police and fire, health professions, art and music, etc.Students participating in YP are in the 6th through 9th grades and are selected by school counselors on the basis of need and potential. These students often have few successful adult role models in their lives, limited income, and may be at risk of dropping out of school.YP is a non-profit organization totally reliant upon grants, donations and volunteers to do its work. You can make a big difference in these kids' lives, who may have nowhere else to turn, by your donation. We endeavor to take this program global eventually, but our first goal is to be in every school in Austin and the surrounding areas. We know we can carry out our mission, but we need your assistance to grow. We know our program increases attendance, wherever we are established, and that is why we have the support of school administrations, after they witness our results. All kids are worth whatever you can give.