this is

Give Something Back supports students who have faced significant adversities, guiding them toward long-term success in a safe and caring community.

YOUTH SUCCESS

We support students from late-middle, and early high school, until post-secondary completion and career launch. Our programming increases educational awareness, academic opportunities, access to financial aid, and career preparation for our communities' most marginalized students. Our curriculum supports holistic student development based on purposeful goal-setting, relationship building and developing strategies to overcome hurdles for post-secondary education completion and career success.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS FOR UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL SUCCESS

Our Give Back staff offer broad experience in youth and adult academic development around the country. Guidance and curriculum for our students is designed for student success and is a product of our shared professional expertise. Give Back curriculum is delivered through 1:1 coaching and group workshops, which teach students about career possibilities and post-secondary education options. Our team assists students in gaining acceptance of chosen programs and to identify financing that allows credentials to be earned with little or no student loan debt. 

COMPLETING YOUR EDUCATION

Acceptance to a post-secondary education program is just the start, we aim to see each of our students successfully complete their chosen degree. Nationwide, far too many students fail to graduate, drifting between programs without a clear plan, leaving themselves saddled with unnecessary debt, wasted energy and no closer to achieving their career goals. Our coaches help students address the life challenges that would otherwise derail their education, so that they can accomplish their academic dreams.

LAUNCHING YOUR CAREER

Our support continues beyond post-secondary completion. We help our students to develop effective resumes, LinkedIn profiles, networking strategies and an ability to communicate their value with confidence in interviews. Our staff provide career fairs for job exploration and match our youth with mentors from the student’s desired profession. These career mentors can then provide access and job shadowing in specific occupational fields. Our supportive team helps our youth to apply, and keep their jobs even when life challenges arise.

Illinois Community Engagement Luncheon

At Give Back, we hold events to engage the community around us to be a part of the change that we are making with scholars...

Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Give Back’s Kansas Program Director Katie Latta is actively engaged in breaking...

“Why We Strive” Fall Programming

Bills, bills, bills. Can you pay your telephone bill? Can you pay your automo’ bill? If you can, then you might have a shot...

R&R: Ethan’s Trip to Guatemala

Bitten by the ice of the alpine winds, their feet sloshed through the puddled volcanic gravel in the dead of night. The...

Staff Profile: Shannon Labus

Shannon Labus is a Student Coach with Give Something Back. She currently coaches’ students in both Illinois and Kansas....

There was one day early in the year that I went to check my student balance and was absolutely stunned when I saw a balance of $0.00. I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard of someone having the blessing of a zero dollar balance for their college charges.

Jayson A.

Attending our events and listening to those who would speak at our events was a huge eye opener for me and my family. I am not sure I will ever have enough words to explain how thankful I am for the opportunity I was given but I know for a fact that myself and my family will be forever grateful.

- Angelica D.

Knowing that I will be the first person from my immediate family to possess a four year college degree makes me proud, which motivates me to continue to work hard.

- Antonio P.

Thank you so much to all of the people who have made this foundation successful. It is extremely life-changing.

- Samantha B.

I am proud to be a part of GSBF because the community is made up of some of the best people I have ever met. I cannot wait to see how large the foundation grows and how many other people are positively affected by its reaches.

- Catherine S.