The initiative pairs the Club’s deep-rooted community relationships with the technical expertise of Students Rising Above (SRA). A dedicated advisor will join the Club’s existing program staff to provide group workshops and one-on-one coaching for juniors and seniors. While juniors focus on early planning and college exploration, seniors receive intensive assistance with applications and financial aid, ensuring they have a structured roadmap through the enrollment process.

This model addresses a critical failure point in many educational programs: the lack of support after a student leaves high school. Graduates of the program can transition into SRA’s SOAR initiative, which provides ongoing mentorship, career development, and emergency resources throughout their undergraduate years. For the inaugural year, the program will serve 55 students, with progress tracked through matriculation rates and continued enrollment data.

SRA CEO Eli Kennedy noted that by operating within the Boys & Girls Club, the organization reaches students where trust already exists. The program adapts a successful school-based framework previously deployed in the East Bay. Danielle Azzalino Hodge, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, emphasized that the partnership provides the specialized guidance necessary for first-generation students to navigate financial and academic hurdles that often lead to dropout. Since 1998, SRA has maintained a 76% six-year graduation rate, significantly outperforming national averages for students from similar backgrounds.