To sum up the success of the 2019 fiscal year for Capital Partners for Education (CPE), an old saying comes to mind: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This ideology is what fuels the power of relationships and what has contributed to an incredible year for our organization.
Since 1993, CPE has worked diligently to support low-income, first-generation students in the Washington D.C. area on their journey to and through college. This past year, we commemorated our 25th anniversary with our first-ever gala event that helped us raise over $300,000! From everyone here at CPE, we sincerely thank each of you who helped make this celebration a success.
As we seek to advance our mission, there has never been a more important time to focus on equal opportunities for students who have been overlooked academically. These are students who fall within the academic middle of their peers and are on the cusp of college eligibility, but unlikely to further their education without additional support. With research showing that youth are 55% more likely to enroll in college if they have a mentor (The National Mentoring Partnership, 2015), our work is needed in the DC community to help put students on a path toward upward economic mobility.
We're inspired by our accomplishments this year, yet eager to do more. As our organization continues to grow, it is the support we receive from you that will help us achieve our goals. I encourage you to read through the annual report to learn about the impact CPE is making in the lives of our future leaders. We hope that you, too, are inspired to support our efforts.
Sincerely,
Since 1993, Capital Partners for Education has provided one-to-one mentoring, and college and career success programming to low-income students. CPE currently supports 470 students who are enrolled in 17 Washington, D.C. area high schools and more than 80 colleges and universities across the country. CPE helps its students through high school and college, so they can graduate with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in sustainable careers.
As of January 2019...
Students in CPE's program typically reside in communities where they are not receiving the same support to get to and through college as other students. Many reside in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C., where data shows they're negatively impacted by the drastic income inequality in the district.
Source : DC Health Matters
Bryanna has helped me become more focused in planning for my future. She's helped me raise my grades in classes I have been struggling with and she also gives me opportunities to bond with her by doing activities we both love - like cooking!
Mikel
Mikel is such an inspiring young adult. Her strength through struggle and adversity has pushed me to become a better person and mentor. She has taught me that patience is more than just a virtue, it is the foundation on how we should interact with each other. She shows me every day that growth is possible if you are patient. Growth cannot be rushed or cheated. She has made me a better worker, friend, and person. I am honored to continue this journey with her. She has such a bright future ahead of her and I'm glad that I am part of it.
Bryanna
The academic middle is comprised of students whose GPAs range between 2.3 - 3.1
Students in the academic middle are on the cusp of college eligibility, but are unlikely to further their education without additional support. It is CPE's belief that these students have untapped potential, and with the social networks to guide them in becoming self-actualized, resilient leaders, they have a better chance of overcoming the challenges they face daily.
Though initially a tall and unknown man to me, Stephen became a very important person in my life. As a hard-working federal DC prosecutor, it is safe to say that he expects me to do great things. During the college application season, he helped me in numerous ways. He gave me general advice, SAT and college prep books, and he connected me with a personal SAT tutor. My mentor played a pivotal role during the college application process, and I am grateful for that.
Moises
Moises and I connected more and more over time. Not just over college prep, but also over current events and life. Our regular Marvel movie and other outings were also just great fun. Moises became like family, and even came to my wedding! It has been a privilege to watch him grow, to be friends along the way, and to learn from him as well.
Stephen
CPE's emergency fund requests help students cover costs outside of their tuition, such as books, uniforms, school supplies, meal plans, and more. Moziqe's story is one of many that provides insight into the value this fund has for CPE students.
I felt a lot of pressure not knowing how I was going to be able to pay for all my books and stressed about being able to complete my work online. I started to become overwhelmed from thinking that I'd fall behind in my classes because I didn't have the resources necessary to do well in them. I didn't know about CPE's emergency request funds until a few weeks into my first semester. After applying for the funds, I was able to purchase the books and online access codes I needed which I was very grateful for.
Moziqe, CPE college student
CPE provides college students up to $4,500 in internship stipends to cover living, travel, and school expenses while interning. CPE believes that internships and other research and job shadowing opportunities help students build skills and connections needed for their career after college.
This experience has helped me to better understand the work and dedication that goes behind discovering new means of therapeutics and medicines for diseases. It is not an easy process. My contribution over the 10 weeks was only a tiny portion of the studies of HIV-1. Researchers go through years and years of trial and error experiments. I admired how ambitious my supervisor and his colleagues were. I think my experiences this summer has helped me to grow as a person. I would recommend any student to intern over the summer.
Berniece, CPE college student
My mentor has especially taught me to embrace who I am, to break down all the barriers set by our society, and to always keep my goals in mind. Imani is almost a mirror reflection of me, whether it be our phyiscal features or our overworking minds. I feel at home when I am with her. She has become so much a part of me that I do not know exactly what I'd do without her. A mentor is said to empower a person to see a possible future, but to also make them believe that the future can be obtained. She has truly made my dreams a reality.
Morgann
I couldn't have found a more perfect, compatible, and brilliant mentee than Morgann. I'm so grateful to CPE for bringing us together. We teach and help each other to be the absolute best version of ourselves in all avenues of life!
Imani
The power of relationships in helping to see low-income, first-generation students to and through college is significant considering the barriers they face.
56% of low-income high school graduates enroll in college, compared to 91% of their high-income peers (American Progress)
Individuals with a bachelor's degree earn 60% more
on average than those with only a high school credential (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
21% of low-income, first-generation college students will have a college degree within 6 years of enrolling in school (The Pell Institute)
CPE provides a community of support through strong relationships so that everyone can achieve more.
Michael Wood is an avid supporter of CPE's mission as he serves on the organization's board of directors and donates to ensure the program remains successful.
Everyone in America should have the same opportunity to succeed, but this isn't the case for low-income people. A good education opens doors to get ahead yet 40% of low income students attend lower performing schools. CPE finds these students and helps them get into college, graduate college, and find a good job. I know of no better way to address the opportunity gap than supporting CPE.
Christine has been by my side throughout my CPE journey. From the first day we met at the ropes course when I was a young, shy, naive 13-year-old, to watching me graduate from Elizabeth Seton High School, and now having watched me walk across the stage to receive my BA at Boston College, Christine has been there every step of the way.
Omolayo
I had no idea that my relationship with Omolayo and her family would grow so very strong and deep. From the great job of pairing the two of us together, to providing a programming structure that allowed us to get to know one another, Omolayo and I have become friends. She was at my wedding, my husband and I both went to her high school graduation, her family came and visited both of my kids when they were born, and my husband and I took our two kids to Boston to watch her graduate from college.
Christine
On April 11, 2019, CPE held its first annual gala to commemorate 25 years as an organization that has supported more than 700 students and paired nearly 1,000 volunteer mentors throughout our 25-year history. We not only celebrated the tremendous achievements of these students and the others who have passed through the program in the last 25 years, but also looked to the future with the goal of having a far greater impact in the DC community. There are thousands more students in DC who could benefit from the services CPE provides, and we are working hard on expanding to meet this need.
CPE's three-year strategic plan called for reaching, supporting, and sustaining a growth target of 650 students by 2021. As we approach 2020, CPE has reached its largest ever incoming class, enrolling 200 new students; continues to support 385 students in high school and college; and has sustained success for 75 students who have completed its program with Bachelor's degrees. The last three years have seen more than 660 students placed on the path to college and career success.
Theodore A. Schwab
Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Managing Director, Steward Partners Global Advisory
The Honorable Mary K. Bush
Board Chair
President and Founder, Bush International, LLC
Carol Adelman, Ph.D.
Director
The Hudson Institute
John A. Bates
Finance and Administration Committe Chair
Partner, Potomac Equity Partners
Cathy Bernasek*
Independent Consultant in the Nonprofit Sector
Gina Coburn
Program Oversight Committee Chair
Senior Advisor, Global Philanthropy Group
Ernest Cordova
Managing Director, Accenture
Renee Y. DeVigne
Associate Dean, George Washington University Law School
Bill Dodge
Retired Partner, Deloitte Tax
*Joined July 2019
J. Warren Gorrell, Jr.
CEO Emeritus and Partner, Hogan Lovells
Dorothy Helfenstein
Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton
Sarah Iddrissu
CPE Alumna
Executive Director, Educators for Excellence, Boston
Margot Machol Bisnow
Author, Raising an Entrepreneur
Sandy Meredith
Mentor Committe Chair
President, The Meredith Group
James E. Nevels
Founder & Chairman, The Swarthmore Group
Charles Rossotti
Development Committee Chair
Senior Advisor, The Carlyle Group
Macani Toungara
Africa Leaders Program Manager, Obama Foundation
Ambassador Michael M. Wood
Human Resources Committee Chair
Chairman, Redwood Investments, LLC
