PLATINUM2023

YONKERS PARTNERS IN EDUCATION INC

Preparing for College Success

aka YPIE   |   Yonkers, NY   |  https://www.ypie.org

Mission

Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) partners with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college. We confront the challenges of a low-income, urban school district by providing families with equitable access to the critical tools and services necessary for college success.

Ruling year info

2006

Executive Director

Samuel Wallis

Main address

92 Main Street, Suite 101

Yonkers, NY 10701 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

06-1760636

NTEE code info

Educational Services and Schools - Other (B90)

Youth Development Programs (O50)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

The persistent educational gap affecting under-served students in the United States means that many students never get a chance to earn a college degree. Yet a college degree can lift families out of poverty, increase the odds of landing better jobs, increase lifetime earnings, and lead to healthier individuals and communities. Research indicates that only 11% of low-income students complete college - compared to students from high-income families who are approximately five times as likely to obtain a bachelor’s degree by age 24. In Yonkers, only 34% of the population overall has an undergraduate degree, yet according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, approximately 60% of all jobs require some form of postsecondary education. YPIE aims to address the significant gaps in college preparedness, college access and college completion for low-income students in Yonkers, the fourth largest city in New York State.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

YPIE Scholars and Fellows

Since 2007, Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE) has been preparing economically disadvantaged, but determined high school students from Yonkers, NY to complete college, thrive in the future economy and contribute to their families and communities.

Yonkers is the fourth largest school district in New York State, with 27,000 students — many living at or below poverty. Our program is among the most comprehensive for underrepresented, first-generation students, spanning 9th grade through college, focusing on the academic and life skills integral to success in college and beyond. Hundreds of students each week come to the YPIE College Zone after school to learn, be inspired, and be part of a community of students on the path to college.

With nearly one-third of Yonkers residents foreign-born and more than 80 languages spoken by the district’s students, YPIE’s target population is diverse: 58% Latinx, 19% African American. Nearly 90% of high school students qualify for the free/reduced lunch program and most will be the first in their family to attend college.

YPIE provides college readiness, access and persistence services to 1,200 students per year, or 25% of the high school students in the Yonkers Public Schools, where, in addition to poor academic preparation and budget cuts, other inequities exist, such as cuts in AP classes, after-school activities, sports, art, and music programs.

YPIE Scholars Program
The YPIE Scholars program prepares students for success in college and the 21st Century world. Beginning in 9th grade and continuing into college, YPIE Scholars are a community of students preparing for college, navigating the college application process, and successfully transitioning to college and beyond.

YPIE Scholars put in the hard work after school at the YPIE College Zone to become academically ready for college. They also receive coaching and support from YPIE staff based in their schools and adult mentors from across our community.

YPIE Fellows Program
To extend our reach to students who are just starting the college process, students can apply in 11th grade to become YPIE Fellows to receive support with the college application process and their transition to the first 2 years of college.

Population(s) Served
Adolescents
Economically disadvantaged people

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of students enrolled

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

YPIE Scholars and Fellows

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of mentors recruited

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

YPIE Scholars and Fellows

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Mentors make a two or three year commitment to meet with assigned students.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

College is an important step toward life success, yet only 11% of first generation, low-income students in the US earn a college degree. We aim to partner with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college.

Our goal is to continually develop, pilot (as needed), and deliver effective programs, technology, and services that drive college readiness, college access, and college persistence to ensure the greatest number of students graduate from a four year college.

The outcomes YPIE is achieving under these circumstances is especially noteworthy and can be scaled even further with additional investment from national foundations. Its programs could be replicated and its knowledge shared with other high-need school districts seeking to achieve more effective college pathways for their struggling students.

Our innovative programs are among the nation's most comprehensive for low income, underserved high-school students. Through a personal, multi-layered, and well-tuned service delivery approach the organization is ensuring that young people in this high-need city achieve grade-level academic performance and graduate from high school prepared for college and the workplace.

Our College Success Model includes:

1. College Readiness - To ensure students are on track academically and possess the executive function skills to get to and through college, each YPIE Scholar is assigned a College Readiness Manager and a volunteer mentor called a Graduation Coach. These 250 volunteers stay with their assigned students through all four years of high school. Bi-monthly meetings with College Readiness Managers and Graduation Coaches occur in the high schools during the school day and result in deep personal relationships between students and adults - a unique feature of YPIE Scholars.

To close the academic readiness gap and prepare students for the rigors of college, teachers provide an extra 180 hours per year per Scholar of academic instruction in core subjects (math, science and English) and SAT/ACT Prep at the afterschool YPIE College Zone. And to expose students to enrichment opportunities, YPIE Scholars are eligible to participate in short term activities like mindfulness, cooking, and art, or more intensive programs like a four year, competitive science research program; a 15-week coding and film program; and/or a five-week social entrepreneur program.

2. College Access - Beginning in 11th grade, YPIE Scholars receive support from a YPIE College Advisor to build a college list and complete applications with the ultimate goal of enrolling in a best fit (academically, geographically, financially) college. Because research shows that FAFSA completion not only helps students access financial aid, but also closely corresponds with college enrollment and completion, YPIE provides hands-on assistance with financial aid form completion for all families.

3. College Persistence - Upon graduating from high school, YPIE Scholars are assigned a dedicated College Completion Coach who meets with them monthly, in-person and/or via video chat when necessary, for the first two years of college. As part of the program, a one week intensive summer initiative provides YPIE Scholars the confidence to know they’re prepared to navigate the challenges low income, first-generation students confront in the first years at college: time management, taking advantage of clubs and activities, how to access support services, living with a roommate, handling homesickness, budgeting, health and safety.

YPIE has been a trusted partner of the Yonkers Public Schools for more than ten years. YPIE College Advisors are certified guidance counselors who are embedded in the high schools and provide quality college advising to our students. We are the only nonprofit in Yonkers partnering with the public schools to provide students with comprehensive supports from 9th grade through college graduation.

YPIE operates the City's only dedicated extended day learning space, the YPIE College Zone, that focuses on rigorous academics, interwoven with enrichment and other activities to help students develop skills needed for college, career, and life.

Finally, YPIE has an army of volunteer Graduation Coaches who have made a four-year commitment to mentoring our students. Academic rigor, enrichment and skill-building, mentoring and support while in college are the capabilities that make YPIE uniquely qualified to meet our goals.

YPIE operates in a mid-sized urban school district with urgent educational needs, never-ending budget battles, and inadequate after-school options. The outcomes YPIE is achieving under these circumstances is especially noteworthy and can be scaled even further with additional investment. Our programs could be replicated and our knowledge shared with other high-need school districts seeking to achieve more effective college pathways for their struggling students.

Accomplishments to date include:
-- 1,200 students served each year
-- 89% of our 2020 graduates enrolled in college
-- 74% of our 2017 College Success students persisted into their 4th year of college

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    YPIE engages more than 1,200 students from Yonkers, New York’s 3rd largest city, from 9th grade through the 2nd year of college. Surrounded by some of Westchester County’s wealthiest zip codes, Yonkers is a predominantly immigrant community where many young people will be the first in their families to attend college. YPIE programs close gaps in college readiness and access for Yonkers Public School students, resulting in outstanding college enrollment outcomes. With a college degree, students are able to contribute to their communities and end a cycle of multi-generational poverty.

  • How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?

    Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes, Community meetings/Town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Slack,

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    In response to increased student financial need during the pandemic, YPIE created a Tutor Corps that provided financial assistance to current YPIE college students with a community service requirement that they tutor current high school students. These grants went a long way towards closing the financial gap while also providing a very helpful service to YPIE high school students.

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,

  • How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?

    YPIE prioritizes empowering students to use their voices in the community. Through a variety of initiatives, including a student-led online newspaper and an active Student Advisory Council, student voices are put at the center of the conversation. By seeking feedback from YPIE students and then implementing their feedback, students have learned how to use their voices to impact change.

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time,

Financials

YONKERS PARTNERS IN EDUCATION INC
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

YONKERS PARTNERS IN EDUCATION INC

Board of directors
as of 02/21/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

David Westin

Bloomberg, LLP


Board co-chair

Carl Petrillo

Yonkers Contracting Company

Ramesh Shah

Retired Chairman, WNS Global Services

James Veneruso

Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz and Curto

Richard Alvarez

Queens College of the City University of New York

Alison Lohrfink Blood

Karen Beltran

Westchester County Attorney's Office

James D'Arcangelo

D’Arcangelo & Co., L.L.P.

T. Richard Fitzgerald

Sound Associates, Inc.

Bernard Kroll

David Kuhns

Jonathan Lewis

Fiera Capital Inc.

Walter Rodriguez

ASR Group/Domino Sugar

Stuart Silverman

Fusion Advisor Network

Thomas Smith

Smith, Buss, and Jacobs LLC

Thomas Wong

Oak Hill Advisors

David Westin

Bloomberg, LLP

Carl Petrillo

Yonkers Contracting Company

Scott Semel

Park City Partners and Test Me LLC

Judy Seiff

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 4/21/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data