MISSION AND HISTORY
Our mission is to empower underserved students to graduate from high school and pursue a career or higher education through college, university or trade school.
Every student we work with is incredibly unique because of their varying interests, experiences, and dreams. Because of this, we help students identify what path they want to take after graduating high school instead of putting them on a path that we have picked for them. We want each student to graduate from high school so that they have the best chance for success on their chosen path. We help our students graduate from high school and then pursue their own avenue of success through our three aims:
1) Through our student success elective course, students will be equipped with skills that will enable them to pursue their academic and life goals. Students will be provided with a research-based curriculum and one-on-one support with experienced and effective mentors.
2) Through our home support program, students will have increased family support that raises accountability for their academic performance and empowers them to reach their full potential.
3) Through community involvement, students will have the opportunity to explore their career and educational interests, expand their network, and contribute to their community.
We believe that students need to be well rounded in all aspects of their lives in order to fulfill and surpass their potential. Students that participate in the Teens Act program will become better students, friends, family members, and community members. They will have a better understanding of who they are and what they can do to make a difference in the world as they develop their intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.
1) Through our student success elective course, students will be equipped with skills that will enable them to pursue their academic and life goals. Students will be provided with a research-based curriculum and one-on-one support with experienced and effective mentors.
2) Through our home support program, students will have increased family support that raises accountability for their academic performance and empowers them to reach their full potential.
3) Through community involvement, students will have the opportunity to explore their career and educational interests, expand their network, and contribute to their community.
We believe that students need to be well rounded in all aspects of their lives in order to fulfill and surpass their potential. Students that participate in the Teens Act program will become better students, friends, family members, and community members. They will have a better understanding of who they are and what they can do to make a difference in the world as they develop their intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.
HISTORY
2007
While attending Brigham Young University (BYU), Dayan Bernal, founder at Teens Act, created and implemented a successful college preparation course for at-risk Hispanic students at Provo High School as part of her honors thesis.
While attending Brigham Young University (BYU), Dayan Bernal, founder at Teens Act, created and implemented a successful college preparation course for at-risk Hispanic students at Provo High School as part of her honors thesis.
Dayan with her first students; each student is wearing a T-shirt from the college they planned to attend.
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Teens Act students at their high school graduation.
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Being able to identify with the frustrations associated with preparing and planning for higher education, she wanted to provide tools, knowledge, and resources to students who found themselves in similar situations. The original course was two months long and very successful. In fact, three years later, 17 of the original 25 students completed their first year in college—students who otherwise would not likely have graduated from high school.
2011-12
Dayan and Saeko Logsdon (Executive Director at Teens Act) established Teens Act, which won second place in the Brigham Young University Social Venture Competition . Using the funds they were awarded they started Teens Act as a non-profit. 501(c)(3) organization, with the mission to empower under-resourced students to obtain a post-secondary education.
The results of the program were remarkable. During the first two year cohort at Provo High School twenty students enrolled in Teens Act, half of which were ethnic minorities. The students in the class maintained a 90% attendance rate. Their average ACT score improved 4 points, the highest ACT score improved 12 points (from 15 to 27 points). 100% of the senior students graduated from Provo High School in May of 2012. Furthermore, 90% of our students started college this fall.
Dayan and Saeko Logsdon (Executive Director at Teens Act) established Teens Act, which won second place in the Brigham Young University Social Venture Competition . Using the funds they were awarded they started Teens Act as a non-profit. 501(c)(3) organization, with the mission to empower under-resourced students to obtain a post-secondary education.
The results of the program were remarkable. During the first two year cohort at Provo High School twenty students enrolled in Teens Act, half of which were ethnic minorities. The students in the class maintained a 90% attendance rate. Their average ACT score improved 4 points, the highest ACT score improved 12 points (from 15 to 27 points). 100% of the senior students graduated from Provo High School in May of 2012. Furthermore, 90% of our students started college this fall.
2012-13
Teens Act served over 70 at-risk students and their parents at Independence High School and Jordan High School. In addition, Teens Act served over 30 court mandated youth by partnering with Centro Hispano and the Utah Department of Health. Moreover, Teens Act won the UVU Social Incubator Competition, winning funding and free office space at the UVU Business Resource Center.
Teens Act served over 70 at-risk students and their parents at Independence High School and Jordan High School. In addition, Teens Act served over 30 court mandated youth by partnering with Centro Hispano and the Utah Department of Health. Moreover, Teens Act won the UVU Social Incubator Competition, winning funding and free office space at the UVU Business Resource Center.
2013-14
We started an approved elective Student Success Class that is taken during the day in all three high schools. As result, we added over 70 at-risk students, serving a total of 91 students that school year. 81% of students were minority students, and we achieved 90% attendance rate. By years end, 86% of those who were seniors graduated from high school, while those who were underclassman remained in high school.
During that year we continued to collaborate with local universities to recruit qualified college mentors to help our students with their homework in their Teens Act classes and after school programs.
Teens Act received a three-year CNCS grant to hire 3 full-time Americorps VISTA members who will help develop the capacity of the organization through program supervision, curriculum development, fund development, and research.
We started an approved elective Student Success Class that is taken during the day in all three high schools. As result, we added over 70 at-risk students, serving a total of 91 students that school year. 81% of students were minority students, and we achieved 90% attendance rate. By years end, 86% of those who were seniors graduated from high school, while those who were underclassman remained in high school.
During that year we continued to collaborate with local universities to recruit qualified college mentors to help our students with their homework in their Teens Act classes and after school programs.
Teens Act received a three-year CNCS grant to hire 3 full-time Americorps VISTA members who will help develop the capacity of the organization through program supervision, curriculum development, fund development, and research.
2014-15
In conjunction with Dr. Carol Ward and Dr. Tim Heaton of Brigham Young University’s Sociology Department, Teens Act acquired a Mentoring Environment Grant (MEG) for over $19,000 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Teens Act program. The grant funds were used to develop and implement a long-term cohort study in the 2014-2015 school year.
In addition, Teens Act received a $30,000 multi year 21st Century Grant through the Provo School District to continue its educational support of students.
In conjunction with Dr. Carol Ward and Dr. Tim Heaton of Brigham Young University’s Sociology Department, Teens Act acquired a Mentoring Environment Grant (MEG) for over $19,000 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Teens Act program. The grant funds were used to develop and implement a long-term cohort study in the 2014-2015 school year.
In addition, Teens Act received a $30,000 multi year 21st Century Grant through the Provo School District to continue its educational support of students.
2015-16
In 2015, Teens Act was recognized with a Bright Spot Award by the White House Initiative on Education Excellence. In addition, Teens Act became a partner agency of United Way. This gave Teens Act access to additional community and funding resources. The partnership has also helped us recruit more volunteers and raise awareness about our program throughout Utah County. Teens Act is committed to improving the lives of students, increasing their educational performance, decreasing the high school dropout rate and increasing the number of first-generation college students in the state of Utah.
In 2015, Teens Act was recognized with a Bright Spot Award by the White House Initiative on Education Excellence. In addition, Teens Act became a partner agency of United Way. This gave Teens Act access to additional community and funding resources. The partnership has also helped us recruit more volunteers and raise awareness about our program throughout Utah County. Teens Act is committed to improving the lives of students, increasing their educational performance, decreasing the high school dropout rate and increasing the number of first-generation college students in the state of Utah.
2016-17
Teens Act continued its work at Independence and Provo High School. At this point in time Teens Act had served over 400 high school students who were at risk of dropping out.
We facilitated a study for an Extended Day program at IHS through a collaborative effort with the Ballard Center Social Innovation Project at Brigham Young University. This study benefitted IHS as they developed a more effective after school program.
Teens Act supported an innovated summer time “Grace Period” Senior Support program that IHS had developed. The program was designed to help students complete the course work they needed to fulfill credits necessary for graduation. Teens Act supported the project by providing additional funding to the after school program staff, the acquisition of some computers for students to use to complete school work at their homes and some Teens Act staff helped to contact students and do home visits.
Teens Act developed Community Service Volunteer Provider Agreements with BYU and UVU to improve its partnership work with those Universities.
It was awarded a $10,000 Provo City Community Development Block Grant.
Teens Act continued its work at Independence and Provo High School. At this point in time Teens Act had served over 400 high school students who were at risk of dropping out.
We facilitated a study for an Extended Day program at IHS through a collaborative effort with the Ballard Center Social Innovation Project at Brigham Young University. This study benefitted IHS as they developed a more effective after school program.
Teens Act supported an innovated summer time “Grace Period” Senior Support program that IHS had developed. The program was designed to help students complete the course work they needed to fulfill credits necessary for graduation. Teens Act supported the project by providing additional funding to the after school program staff, the acquisition of some computers for students to use to complete school work at their homes and some Teens Act staff helped to contact students and do home visits.
Teens Act developed Community Service Volunteer Provider Agreements with BYU and UVU to improve its partnership work with those Universities.
It was awarded a $10,000 Provo City Community Development Block Grant.
2017-18
Teens Act continued it’s support of students at IHS while starting it’s first elective class there, continued it’s elective class at Provo High School and also started an elective class at Valley High School in the Jordan School District. It also solidified its partnership at UVU and started its partnership with Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Teens Act also started a UVU Connections program for Teens Act Continuing Success students using UVU students to mentor seniors from Provo High to prepare them to attend UVU. We have continued the UVU connections program in the summer and have invited more students from PHS, Timpview High School (THS) and IHS to participate. We also continued the Senior Support Program, based largely on what we had done during the previous summer at IHS. In addition to students from IHS we have worked with students from PHS, and for the first time with THS students. These two new program services; UVU Connections, and Senior Support Programs, are both coordinated by Summer Associate Vista’s by AmeriCorps grants through United Way of Utah County.
Teens Act applied for and was awarded a $10,000 Provo City Community Development Block Grant for the 2018-19 school year. We are supported by a number of businesses and corporations and hope to increase our partnerships with others so that we can continue this vital work to empower more students toward higher education.
Teens Act continued it’s support of students at IHS while starting it’s first elective class there, continued it’s elective class at Provo High School and also started an elective class at Valley High School in the Jordan School District. It also solidified its partnership at UVU and started its partnership with Salt Lake Community College (SLCC). Teens Act also started a UVU Connections program for Teens Act Continuing Success students using UVU students to mentor seniors from Provo High to prepare them to attend UVU. We have continued the UVU connections program in the summer and have invited more students from PHS, Timpview High School (THS) and IHS to participate. We also continued the Senior Support Program, based largely on what we had done during the previous summer at IHS. In addition to students from IHS we have worked with students from PHS, and for the first time with THS students. These two new program services; UVU Connections, and Senior Support Programs, are both coordinated by Summer Associate Vista’s by AmeriCorps grants through United Way of Utah County.
Teens Act applied for and was awarded a $10,000 Provo City Community Development Block Grant for the 2018-19 school year. We are supported by a number of businesses and corporations and hope to increase our partnerships with others so that we can continue this vital work to empower more students toward higher education.
2018-19
Teens Act once again provided and strengthened its services to students at PHS and IHS, and continued its introductory work at THS. Its work was strengthened through its partnership at UVU who provided First Generation college students as mentors at PHS, IHS and THS.. This partnership with First Generation uses UVU students to mentor students to have better success in high school and to better prepare them to attend UVU and other post secondary colleges and programs.
Once again this year Teens Act YServe at Brigham Young University (BYU) provided over 40 volunteer mentors and interns to help us in our program and development services. BYU continues to be a strong, reliable and consistent partner. Teens Act was recognized as a Outstanding Community Service Provider at Community Service Provider (CSP) luncheon in March or 2019.
Through an Memorandum of Understanding with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County (BGCU) we piloted our work together through summer school program using five Americorp Vista STEM mentors funded through BGCU that served students primarily from PHS, and a few from Timpview High School (THS) and IHS. These mentors mentored students primarily in STEM subjects and improved the instructional and testing materials used by the schools. With the assistance of two Americorp Summer Associate Vistas funded through United Way of Utah County we also continued the Senior Support Program and College Connection programs, based largely on what we had done during the previous summer. In addition to students from PHS these Vistas worked with staff and students from THS and IHS.
Teens Act continues to receive financial support through grants and corporate funds donated by United Way of Utah County,
C. Scott and Dorothy E. Watkins Charitable Foundation, JEPS Foundation, Provo City CDBG $10,000.00, Colin Wright CW Land Company, Auto Maxx Dealerships and Alpine Credit Union.
Teens Act once again provided and strengthened its services to students at PHS and IHS, and continued its introductory work at THS. Its work was strengthened through its partnership at UVU who provided First Generation college students as mentors at PHS, IHS and THS.. This partnership with First Generation uses UVU students to mentor students to have better success in high school and to better prepare them to attend UVU and other post secondary colleges and programs.
Once again this year Teens Act YServe at Brigham Young University (BYU) provided over 40 volunteer mentors and interns to help us in our program and development services. BYU continues to be a strong, reliable and consistent partner. Teens Act was recognized as a Outstanding Community Service Provider at Community Service Provider (CSP) luncheon in March or 2019.
Through an Memorandum of Understanding with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County (BGCU) we piloted our work together through summer school program using five Americorp Vista STEM mentors funded through BGCU that served students primarily from PHS, and a few from Timpview High School (THS) and IHS. These mentors mentored students primarily in STEM subjects and improved the instructional and testing materials used by the schools. With the assistance of two Americorp Summer Associate Vistas funded through United Way of Utah County we also continued the Senior Support Program and College Connection programs, based largely on what we had done during the previous summer. In addition to students from PHS these Vistas worked with staff and students from THS and IHS.
Teens Act continues to receive financial support through grants and corporate funds donated by United Way of Utah County,
C. Scott and Dorothy E. Watkins Charitable Foundation, JEPS Foundation, Provo City CDBG $10,000.00, Colin Wright CW Land Company, Auto Maxx Dealerships and Alpine Credit Union.
Teens Act has served hundreds of high school students who were at risk of dropping out.
2019-20
Teens Act continued it's services to students at PHS and in its first year provided our elective Student Success class at THS. Our work at IHS changed from providing a class to mentoring support in general education classes especially in Math classes, Our work in partnership with UVU First Generation provided mentors at PHS, IHS and THS.. As we did last year our partnership with First Generation used UVU students to mentor students to have better success in high school and to better prepare them to attend UVU and other post secondary colleges and programs.
Teens Act YServe at Brigham Young University (BYU) once again provided over 40 volunteer mentors and interns to help us in our program and development services. BYU continues to be a strong, reliable and consistent partner.
Our continued partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County (BGCU) allowed us to work together to hire a lead mentor teacher who focused on STEM instruction at our PHS class. Once again through our partnership with United Way we were able to receive two Americorp Summer Associate Vistas funded through United Way of Utah County. These summer associates continued the Senior Support Program and College Connection programs that we had in place over the last two previous summer. Teens Act continues to receive financial support through grants and corporate funds donated by United Way of Utah County, C. Scott and Dorothy E. Watkins Charitable Foundation, and Provo City CDBG.
Teens Act continued it's services to students at PHS and in its first year provided our elective Student Success class at THS. Our work at IHS changed from providing a class to mentoring support in general education classes especially in Math classes, Our work in partnership with UVU First Generation provided mentors at PHS, IHS and THS.. As we did last year our partnership with First Generation used UVU students to mentor students to have better success in high school and to better prepare them to attend UVU and other post secondary colleges and programs.
Teens Act YServe at Brigham Young University (BYU) once again provided over 40 volunteer mentors and interns to help us in our program and development services. BYU continues to be a strong, reliable and consistent partner.
Our continued partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County (BGCU) allowed us to work together to hire a lead mentor teacher who focused on STEM instruction at our PHS class. Once again through our partnership with United Way we were able to receive two Americorp Summer Associate Vistas funded through United Way of Utah County. These summer associates continued the Senior Support Program and College Connection programs that we had in place over the last two previous summer. Teens Act continues to receive financial support through grants and corporate funds donated by United Way of Utah County, C. Scott and Dorothy E. Watkins Charitable Foundation, and Provo City CDBG.
2020-21
The impact of Covid 19 effected our service delivery in a number of ways but did not stop us from providing our services to students at PHS and at THS through our elective Student Success class. We provided both online and in-person course work along with mentoring-tutoring services through our classes and also through Parent-Family Supports. The support from PHS, THS and the overall collaboration with Provo City School District was outstanding this year one again! Our partnership with UVU First Generation and with Teens Act YServe at Brigham Young University (BYU) were curtailed as a result of University policies that limited college students services. Fortunately we had more interns from the Universities than we have ever had in past years. We also had a number of volunteers from university and community services that helped us in our program and development services. Once again this year our continued partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County (BGCU) allowed us to work together to hire a lead mentor teacher who focused on STEM instruction in our PHS class. Our partnership with United Way also as usual provided invaluable support this year! Teens Act continues to receive financial support through grants and corporate funds through United Way of Utah County, and the Provo City Community Development Block Grant. We cannot thank these institutions enough for their vision and for including us in their efforts to support and improve our communities.
The impact of Covid 19 effected our service delivery in a number of ways but did not stop us from providing our services to students at PHS and at THS through our elective Student Success class. We provided both online and in-person course work along with mentoring-tutoring services through our classes and also through Parent-Family Supports. The support from PHS, THS and the overall collaboration with Provo City School District was outstanding this year one again! Our partnership with UVU First Generation and with Teens Act YServe at Brigham Young University (BYU) were curtailed as a result of University policies that limited college students services. Fortunately we had more interns from the Universities than we have ever had in past years. We also had a number of volunteers from university and community services that helped us in our program and development services. Once again this year our continued partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County (BGCU) allowed us to work together to hire a lead mentor teacher who focused on STEM instruction in our PHS class. Our partnership with United Way also as usual provided invaluable support this year! Teens Act continues to receive financial support through grants and corporate funds through United Way of Utah County, and the Provo City Community Development Block Grant. We cannot thank these institutions enough for their vision and for including us in their efforts to support and improve our communities.
