Say Yes to Education

Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes) is a U.S. non-profit organization that seeks to improve inner-city education. The main focus of Say Yes is to increase high school and college graduation rates by offering a range of support services to at-risk, economically disadvantaged youths and families, and by pledging full scholarships for a college or vocational education to children living in poverty.

Say Yes is organized around local chapters and operates in the northeastern U.S. The organization also partners with other groups to provide services to disadvantaged students and their families.

Businessman and philanthropist George A. Weiss founded Say Yes to Education, Inc. in 1987, initially making a promise to 112 sixth graders at Belmont Elementary School in Philadelphia that he would cover the expenses of their college tuition if they graduated from high school. According to David Callahan, Weiss was "directly inspired by Eugene Lang, a philanthropist who made a similar promise to sixth-graders in Harlem, New York in 1981 and then set up the 'I Have a Dream' Foundation to spread this promise to more students."

Guilford County, NC

Say Yes began for graduates of Guilford County Schools fall of 2016. More details to follow

Say Yes began in 1987 with the creation of the Belmont Program of the Philadelphia Chapter. The first students chosen to participate in the program were a group of 112 sixth grade students. Students in the Belmont Program received mentoring and tutoring services, and were provided with after-school and summer programs. Say Yes also focused on family outreach, offering social work and psychological services and administering free medical and dental care.

In 1990, the Jane and Robert Toll Program of the Philadelphia Chapter was formed. The program, sponsored by Toll Brothers' Chief Executive Officer Robert I. Toll and his wife, targeted 57 third graders at the Harrity Elementary School in West Philadelphia.

In October 1990, the Hartford Chapter of Say Yes began when 76 fifth grade students at Annie Fisher Elementary School received a "promise of assistance with tuition costs at either the University of Hartford or other accredited post-secondary institutions." This gift from Hartford University was linked with what is now known as the Hartford Scholars Program, which provides Hartford Public School graduates with half-tuition at the university. The goals of the Hartford Chapter were to encourage and motivate at-risk students to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education or training; to help students learn how to make constructive decisions for their lives; and to help students become responsible, productive adults. The chapter provided a number of support programs to help students reach these goals, including after-school tutoring, individual student support services, educational summer opportunities, and recognition of student achievement; organizing overnight retreats focusing on growth and development issues such as human sexuality, respect and responsibility within relationships, and conflict resolution; monitoring the academic and personal progress of students; arranging college visits; and providing assistance to families and students with the admission process. The Hartford Chapter of Say Yes closed in June 2005.

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