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Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization that supports efforts in the United States to improve the national academic dropout rate and increase college accessibility by partnering with established public school systems.[1] The foundation's parent company is the Simon Property Group. Although SYF works closely with Simon Property Group, it is not a corporate or grant-making foundation.[2] SYF is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its current CEO is J. Michael Durnil, Ph.D.[1]

Mission

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The mission of SYF is to “foster and improve educational opportunities, career development, and life skills that transform the lives of at-risk youth through focused programs and initiatives with our public school and post-secondary education partners.”[1]

History

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In 1997, executives of Simon Property Group and Simon family members (Deborah J. Simon, specifically) began discussing the need for an initiative to improve education on the national level for at-risk youth.[3] Simon Property Group established a committee to develop the idea of using Simon Malls as a location for alternative education.[3] According to SYF, "The concept of placing schools in malls grew out of the belief that many at-risk students could and would graduate if provided the right support." In 1998, SYF became an independent, non-profit organization.[4] Working with a public school district in San Antonio Texas, SYF launched its first alternative school at Rolling Oaks Mall.[5] By the end of 1998, the Century III Mall opened its own program in association with the fifteen school districts that surround West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.[6]

In 2000, SYF established a scholarship program.[7] As of 2010, SYF has awarded $8.5 million to 2,776 students from 42 states.[8]


Programs

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SYF’s efforts to improve the national drop-out rate and increase access to college are two-fold: through Educational Resource Centers (ERCs) and scholarships. ERCs are alternative schools developed as a partnership between SYF and one or more public school districts.[9] ERCs are located primarily in Simon Malls.

ERCs differ from traditional schools in small class sizes, shorter class days, and use of technology.[10] Students who are "at-risk" of not finishing school on time, or at all, can attend ERCs and earn their high school diplomas.[11]

In 2009-2010, the ERC program enrolled 3,359 students and had a graduation rate of 91%.[12] Since 1998, 19,757 students have enrolled in ERCs with a 90% cumulative graduation rate.[8]

Awards and recognition

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SYF has received several awards and notable mentions for its efforts in education. In 2008, SYF’s partnership with CVS Caremark to offer job- and life-skills training and internships was selected as a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center’s Partnership Award.[13] SYF was also honored by the Education Commission of the States (ECS) that same year, along with receiving two Albert Sussman International Community Support Awards from International Council of Shopping Centers Foundation.[14][15] The Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Dropout Recovery, Intervention and Prevention was presented to SYF on November 9, 2008 by the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network and the ERC program was honored as an “Exemplary Program” in 2009.[16] In 2010, SYF was awarded Honorable Mention Community Partnership Award by the Mutual of America Foundation.[17][18]


References

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  1. ^ a b c "About Us". Simon Youth Foundation. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  2. ^ "Simon Youth Foundation, Inc.: Accountants' Report and Financial Statements" (PDF). Simon Youth Foundation. 2009. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  3. ^ a b Christopher Scott Chalker and Kirk Stelsel (2009). "A Fresh Approach to Alternative Education: Using Malls to Reach At-Risk Youth" (PDF). Indiana University, Kappa Delta Pi Record. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  4. ^ "Simon Youth Foundation". Charity Navigator. 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  5. ^ "K-12 Partnership Report" (PDF). KPM. 2009. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  6. ^ "Phase4Learning Center". Retrieved 2011-02-23.
  7. ^ Simon Youth Foundation, Inc. (1999). "Simon Youth Foundation 1999 Annual Report" (PDF): 8. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ a b Simon Youth Foundation, Inc. (2009). "Simon Youth Foundation 2009 Annual Report" (PDF): 7. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ Caitlan Carroll (2010). "A mall where you can go to school". Marketplace. American Public Media. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  10. ^ Sean Dreher (2010). "Mall prepares for new high school". WBIR 10. NBC. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  11. ^ Mai Ling (2011). "Northgate Mall's best-kept secret: its public school". Maple Leaf Life. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  12. ^ Sue Foxx (2009). "Policy Perspective: State Report" (PDF). Center for Evaluation & Education Policy. 7 (4): 7-10.
  13. ^ Press Release (2008). "U.S. Chamber Announces 2008 Corporate Citizenship Awards Finalists". U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  14. ^ Press Release (2008). "Simon Youth Foundation Wins 2008 ECS Corporate Award" (PDF). Education Commission of the State. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
  15. ^ Press Release (2009). "Simon Property Group's Support of Simon Youth Foundation Honored with Prestigious Award" (PDF). Simon Youth Foundation, Inc. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  16. ^ Press Release (2008). "2008 Crystal Star Award Recipients". National Dropout Prevention Center/Network of Clemson University. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  17. ^ Press Release (2010). "2010 Community Partnership Award". Mutual of America. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  18. ^ "Model Program: Simon Youth Foundation". Drop Out Prevention.org. 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
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