Student StepUp Scholarship Fund: LTW Program Proposal
Component 1 & 3 | Young Adult Borough Center Sites with Supplemental Services
Student StepUp Scholarship Fund (StepUp) is a NYC-based non-profit 501(c)(3) specializing in engaging high school students ages 16–21 through near-peer mentoring, immersive technology for career exploration, and comprehensive wraparound support. We deliver three core program platforms:
Advantage Higher Education
Academic reinforcement, digital literacy, leadership, and college preparedness — powered by EON Reality tech-enabled support and STEM enrichment.
Youth Chambers of Commerce
Simulated "Chambers" aligned to career sectors. Real-world projects and solutions, employer feedback, and leadership development. 80%+ of participants achieve a defined next step.
CareerFocus Institute
AI-powered Career Compass platform with immersive XR exploration, professional e-résumés, portfolios, and individualized next-step transition plans.
In response to NYC DOE RFP R1231, StepUp proposes to deliver LTW services at selected YABC sites (Component 1) and Supplemental Student Support Services (Component 3). Our mission: connect, coach, create, and change — empowering students to graduate ready for college, careers, and civic life.
A. Service Plan: Comprehensive LTW Program Design
Component 1
1
Academic Enrichment
Personalized learning plans targeting credit accumulation and Regents prep. Advantage Higher Ed ( EON Reality XR/AR/AI) platform powers interactive 3D content — virtual lab simulations, VR history tours. Weekly study skills workshops, weekend Regents bootcamps, and targeted literacy/numeracy interventions.
2
Youth Development
Each student paired with an Advocate Counselor (max 75-student caseload). Bi-weekly individual sessions, weekly Youth Circles, and restorative practices. Youth Chambers cohorts practice leadership through community projects. Monthly multicultural events celebrate student backgrounds.
3
Postsecondary Readiness
Every student creates a Postsecondary Success Plan. Virtual college tours via EON XR, on-the-spot CUNY/SUNY admissions days, FAFSA workshops, and career panels through CACCI. 100% of graduates will develop a concrete post-graduation plan.
4
Work-Based Learning
At least 30 paid WBL opportunities per 100 students. Full-time WBL Coordinators develop internship pipelines in tech, healthcare, business, and trades. Pre-internship VR bootcamps via CareerFocus Institute. Target: 85%+ of eligible students complete at least one WBL experience.
5
Industry Credentials
Up to 6 college credits via Medgar Evers College Pipeline Initiative. Certifications include OSHA-30, CompTIA IT Fundamentals, and Google IT Support. Through CareerFocus(EON Reality's Career XR Library) provides simulation-based training. Goal: 50%+ of graduates earn a credential (from University of California) or college credit.
6
Social Supports & Basic Needs
Needs assessment at intake. On-site individual counseling, referral pipelines to NYC Health + Hospitals, Safe Horizon, and NYC HRA. Monthly Parent Workshops, young parent support groups, and a multi-tiered attendance outreach plan targeting a 20% boost in chronic absenteeism.
B. Organizational Capacity & Staffing Model
Proven Track Record
Our Experience
Founded in 2015, StepUp has 8+ years in youth development, college access, and workforce programs in NYC's underserved communities. A 3-year Brooklyn college coaching program achieved a 92% graduation rate and 85% college matriculation rate for 120 at-risk students — compared to ~63% citywide. Fiscal controls were rated "exemplary" in a 2025 DYCD audit.
Our founder, Gregory Paul, is a former NYSED educator and seasoned program manager. Our incoming Director of Programs holds an MSW with prior LTW supervisory experience, providing inside knowledge of DOE systems and expectations.
Staffing Per YABC Site
1 Full-Time Program Manager
Master's-level (M.Ed./MSW), 5+ years youth program management, primary DOE liaison.
2+ Advocate Counselors
Caseloads of 50–60 students (exceeding the required 75:1 ratio). Trained in trauma-informed care and restorative practices.
1 WBL Coordinator
Manages all internship and work-readiness programming. Projected hire Jonathan Martinez brings 10+ years of DYCD experience.
4–6 Near-Peer Coaches
Paid college student tutors and mentors via Advantage Higher Education — 20+ hours of training before placement.
Together, this team achieves approximately 1 staff per 15 students. StepUp's data systems — including DYCD Connect, the LTW Pathways Data Workbook, and the CareerReady portal — ensure rigorous tracking of attendance, credits, Regents results, and internship outcomes. A dedicated Data Manager leads monthly data-driven practice reviews.
Strategic Partners
EON Reality (XR platform), Medgar Evers College, CACCI (1,500+ member businesses), Urbane Flatbush Center, The Door, NYC Well, and Workforce1.
M/WBE & Community Roots
Partner Medgar Evers College is city-certified M/WBE. 80% of StepUp's Board are people of color and/or women. Staff include fluent Spanish and Haitian Creole speakers.
Financial Stability
6+ months of cash reserves, exemplary fiscal controls, and ~92% of budget allocated to direct service staff and program expenses.
C. Site-Specific Implementation Plan
YABC Operations
StepUp's LTW program is fully tailored to the YABC environment — operating afternoons and evenings (3:00 PM–9:00 PM) to accommodate students with daytime obligations. Staff are on-site from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily.
School Integration
ACs join YABC Attendance and Pupil Personnel Team (PPT) meetings. Site Directors meet weekly with YABC Principals. Staff attend biweekly faculty meetings and use DOE's Skedula to monitor grades, credits, and Regents scores in real time.
Student Retention Strategies
Peer Ambassadors: Paid 4th/5th-year students welcome and mentor peers
"Make It Happen" Workshops: Hands-on coding, app development, and micro-business projects
Care Team Meetings: Individualized plans for students at serious risk of disengaging
Target Outcomes: 75% YABC graduation rate (vs. typical 56–65%) and monthly attendance above 70% (up from baseline rates often in the 50s).
D. Component 3: Supplemental Student Support Services
Component 3
StepUp offers a flexible menu of supplemental services that YABC sites can opt into, purchased in units per session or per cohort. Each offering enhances — not replaces — the core LTW program.
Academic Boot Camps
Small-group Regents prep institutes (6–8 students) in ELA, Math, Science, and History. 10-session cycles. SAT Prep Course also available. Priced at $2,000 per 10-session cohort — within DOE per-student tutoring norms.
Youth Leadership & Development
"Future Leaders Summit" — after-school workshops culminating in a CUNY campus weekend retreat. Service-Learning Project units guide students through designing and implementing community initiatives over a semester.
College Access Accelerator
Extra college trips, on-site college credit courses, and dedicated "Senior Bridge" coaching for every 12th-term student. Financial aid fairs and family college nights included. Supports DOE's College Access for All goals.
Career Credential Programs
Tailored credential training — Certified Customer Service Professional, Culinary Arts/ServSafe, IT certifications via Per Scholas, and OSHA-30 courses. Delivered on-site at the YABC, aligned to local labor market demand.
Therapeutic & Trauma Support
"Healing Circles" group counseling series led by licensed clinicians. Trauma-Informed Classrooms Training for YABC teachers — a 3-session PD focused on de-escalation and building student resilience. 50% of Future Leaders Summit costs offset by private grant.
E. Budget & Cost-Effectiveness
Financial Overview
Budget Principles
Our proposed budget (Appendices F & G) maximizes direct services to students and aligns with DOE's LTW funding guidelines. Every dollar is channeled toward student outcomes.
Key Highlights
~92% of budget allocated to direct service staff and program expenses
No more than 10% of personnel costs go to non-direct services
In-kind resources leveraged: VR hardware from EON Reality, college volunteer tutors
M/WBE partnership with Medgar Evers College provides a 10% technical score increase during DOE evaluation
Cash reserves sufficient for 6+ months of operations without reimbursement
92%
Direct Services
Of budget allocated to direct student-facing staff and program expenses
75%
Graduation Target
YABC graduation rate goal, vs. typical 56–65% for similar programs
50%
Credential Earners
Of graduates expected to earn an industry credential or college credit
85%
WBL Completion
Of eligible students anticipated to complete at least one work-based learning experience
Our cost-effective approach is bolstered by M/WBE status, in-kind technology contributions from EON Reality, and external grant funding that offsets supplemental service costs. We are confident in delivering exceptional outcomes within the DOE's financial parameters.
Conclusion: A Transformative LTW Partner for NYC's YABCs
Student StepUp Scholarship Fund is uniquely positioned to re-engage youth who have been left behind by traditional models. We bring a highly qualified team, an evidence-based and innovative program design, strategic partnerships across education and industry, and a proven ability to deliver results for the exact population LTW is meant to serve.
"I never thought college or a career was for me. Now I have a plan — and people who believe in me."
— StepUp student, after completing our summer pilot Youth Cambers of Commerce Initiative
This is the essence of what we aim to achieve at the YABCs: every student supported, every student with a plan, and every student ready to realize their potential. By selecting StepUp for Component 1 and Component 3, NYC DOE gains a collaborative, proactive partner dedicated to boosting graduation rates, reigniting students' passion for learning, and equipping them with the skills and experiences needed for adulthood.
Connect
Youth with supportive mentors and resources
Coach
Toward academic and career success
Create
Immersive learning through technology and partnerships
Change
Lives by empowering students to graduate ready
We welcome any questions and look forward to the possibility of serving as your LTW provider. Thank you for your consideration.