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As our community works to deepen and strengthen initial strategies of the Future Ready Bexar County Plan, UP Partnership wants to shine a bright light on the Future Ready Anchor Partners who are playing a key countywide role in the plan’s implementation and success. Through 2030, they will collaboratively create a connected and relationship-rich city that helps its young people thrive.
Each anchor partner has a defined role in coordinating, organizing and advancing the work of the Future Ready Plan across the more than 90 partner institutions. They will work with intermediaries supporting the multiple school districts that will play a key ecosystem-level role in the plan implementation.
Anchor partners include the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, San Antonio Area Foundation, H. E. Butt Foundation, Communities In Schools of San Antonio, CAST Schools Network and Alamo Colleges District.
Anchor partners are deeply committed to the achievement of the Future Ready Bexar County Plan’s North Star goal of increasing the percentage of Bexar County high school graduates enrolling in a postsecondary degree or credential program to 70% by 2030 and have made concrete action commitments to scale Healing, Access and Voice — the mutually agreed upon must HAVEs for equity amongst Bexar County’s young people.
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County will provide $25 million in grants and/or scholarships over the next seven years to advance core outcomes in the Future Ready Plan, as well as partnering with volunteer-based service providers to expand a shared volunteer platform for youth-serving agencies.
“Our commitment ensures students will have resource-rich learning environments that drive high-quality learning experiences, pushing us closer to meeting Future Ready Bexar County’s North Star of 70% postsecondary enrollment by the year 2030,” said Chris Martin, the president and CEO of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County.
The San Antonio Area Foundation will also provide $25 million over the next seven years in grants and/or scholarships. They will also work to advance equity-centered leadership development programs including tracks for both practitioners and community residents, and support capacity building for Future Ready partners.
“The Area Foundation will coordinate $25 million in funds to help Future Ready partners fulfill their action commitments to Healing, Access and Voice,” said Lisa Brunsvold, the foundation’s interim CEO.
The H. E. Butt Foundation will launch a three-year capacity-building program for Future Ready partners, focused on accelerating the ability of child- and youth-serving community-based organizations to advance their Future Ready initiatives.
“Our focus will be to invest in building the organizational and leadership capacity for Future Ready partners committed to advancing Healing, Access and Voice pillars at scale,” says H. E. Butt Foundation’s President and CEO David Rogers.
Communities In Schools of San Antonio will coordinate services for students in selected campus clusters, helping to strengthen student outreach and support strategies across Future Ready partners.
“Communities In Schools of San Antonio is dedicated to coordinating resources and services between partners and campuses, ensuring the districts and postsecondary programs have the resources they need to meet the North Star goal by 2030,” said Communities In Schools of San Antonio President and CEO Jessica Weaver.
CAST Schools Network will strengthen and scale platforms for youth voice with Future Ready partners, expanding buy-in for shared power with students across multiple participating districts.
“CAST Schools advance Future Ready activities focused on youth voice by working to showcase, document, and expand practices that engage young people in shared decision making and co-creation,” said Jeanne Russell, CAST Schools executive director. “We’re looking forward to participating, along with our youth, in the Joint Leadership Table, growing signature community-wide programs such as Speak Up Speak Out, and supporting youth-led research, grantmaking and advocacy.”
Alamo Colleges District, through expanded outreach, will enhance its engagement with students, parents and families across communities in Bexar County and coordinate with school districts and youth development agencies.
“The Alamo Colleges District is proud to advance the work of the Future Plan alongside our partners. Our work will focus on enhancing economic and social mobility for our students by providing an expanded reach of our comprehensive advising services with partnering school districts and youth development agencies,” said Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Mike Flores.
These six anchor partners are vital to driving forward the Future Ready Plan’s work, but youth development workers, teachers, parents and mentors are also essential in guiding a young person to success. Reach out to us by clicking here, tagging @uppartnershipsa or using #FutureReadySA on social media to tell us about your heroic efforts to ensure young people have the healing supports they need, can access high quality education and career opportunities, their voices are heard and their leadership potential is nurtured.
