Sparked Youth
Helping teens and young adults cultivate purpose so they can experience college and career success and better life satisfaction
The Need
The mental health crisis among youth has reached unprecedented levels, as evidenced by CDC data indicating that nearly 3 in 5 teen girls experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2021, with boys also reporting alarmingly high rates. Left unaddressed, these sentiments often endure into adulthood, manifesting as mid-life or career crises, as shown by a 2022 Gallup Workplace Poll revealing that 60% of workers feel disengaged. A lack of purpose underlies these feelings of hopelessness. Purpose provides meaning, direction, and joy in life and is critically important for sustained commitment to interests and activities, especially for teens and young adults as they navigate college and career choices. Shockingly, less than a quarter of high school students report having a sense of purpose, while three out of five young adults feel their lives lack meaning and direction. Addressing this crisis requires concerted efforts to cultivate purpose and meaning in the lives of young people, providing them with the necessary tools to thrive emotionally and professionally.
The Approach
A 3 month intensive group coaching program where students:
- Engage in self-discovery exercises that will help them to explore and articulate their values, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Brainstorm a purpose-based leadership project
- Ensure alignment between their project, academic interest, and their values.
- Strategize the steps that need to be taken to execute their purpose-based leadership project.
The Benefits
Improved emotional well-being and resilience
Meaning, direction, and a much-needed sense of purpose for teens and young adults who feel they are drifting through life, not sure about what they want to do, or why they want to do what they say they want to do
Improved confidence and motivation
Improved academic engagement
Improved college and career readiness
The necessary stand-out factor/ competitive edge for students who want to attend top-tier, highly competitive colleges
Less anxiety and more joy and peace for entire families knowing their teens and young adults have meaning and direction in their lives.
Less likelihood of a mid-life career crisis
Testimonials
Prior to doing the Inward Reach Outward Quest™ program my mind was clouded about what I wanted to do in the future. I really had no precise goals. Under the tutelage of Dr. Francis I was able to identify my passion and pinpoint goals for my future. My character was molded for the better and a substantial impact was made on my life. With the vast knowledge that I have gained I am now able to better myself and my community and increase my chances of getting into the right college for me.
When I first started Spark College Prep’s Inward Reach Outward Quest™ mentoring program I had no idea which path I wanted to go on and not the slightest clue about the college admissions process. However, with Dr. Francis’ guidance I can confidently say what my Spark is and how I want to utilize it in college and career journey. From the beginning to the end of the program Dr. Francis helped me on my journey of Reaching Inward to tap into my interests. I now feel relieved that I know which direction I want to go in.
Throughout the Inward Reach Outward Quest program I was guided with expressing my Spark. I was taught how to tap into my leadership abilities to make a difference in my community. I was also shown how to choose the right colleges for me based on my interests and Spark and put myself in the best position for college acceptance. This program has helped me find the key to my future.
The IROQ program enabled me to find my Spark in life. Not only have I learned more about myself I have also learned what it really takes to get accepted to the right college for me. IROQ also showed me how I can make a good living by doing what I love to do in college and my future career.