YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – MyPath Mahoning Valley, a nonprofit that helps junior and senior high school students plan their futures, is starting 2022 with a new name and new statistics that demonstrate its success.
MyPath, formerly known as the Mahoning Valley College Access Program, changed its name in October to reflect the full scope of its work.
“We’re no longer focused primarily on helping students prepare for college,” says Gerri Jenkins, executive director. “Our programs and services help students identify whatever path is most appropriate for them. That could be college. But it could also be career or technical training, employment or military service.”
MyPath has documented a 98% graduation rate among the high school students the agency worked with during the 2020-2021 academic year. The report tracked more than 300 students who received high school diplomas in Youngstown, Warren and Campbell, the three school districts MyPath serves.
“These numbers reflect the impact of students investing in their futures,” Jenkins says.
“They show that when students take action to shape their futures, the schools and MyPath are very effective in supporting them through graduation, which brings an important advantage for whatever paths the students decide to pursue.”
Also in 2021, MyPath landed a $30,000 state grant to provide Youngstown high school students with additional help to access financial aid for college. The program, in partnership with Youngstown State University, paid for additional support to help students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms (FAFSA) forms.
In April 2022, MyPath will stage its first progressive dinner fundraiser in downtown Youngstown. The agency plans to continue its years-long tradition of progressive dinner fundraisers in downtown Warren in the fall and is introducing an annual Youngstown event in the spring.