Mission Statement	This program's acronym, SPES, is Latin for "hope," and is emblematic of its primary purpose: to provide resources that enable students to achieve high academic and personal goals, develop moral character and become independent thinkers.
Background	SPES was created in September 1985 by 5 college graduates who started a tutoring program for youth from Boston's inner city. Today, SPES has evolved into an outstanding academic and cultural enrichment program serving 220 youth from low to moderate income families in the Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan and Roxbury neighborhoods. In addition, SPES offers successful visual and performing arts and organized sports activities for boys and girls. In October 1992, the SPES Foundation Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit organization under the laws of Massachusetts.
Mission	To inspire and assist urban youth to take control of their lives by pursuing excellence in education; To motivate students to take advantage of their strengths and challenge them to overcome their weaknesses in acquiring skills which enable them to reach beyond their goals; To provide resources that enable students to recognize and achieve the benefits of higher education; To supply youth with tools needed to grow into responsible, ethical, civic-minded individuals with high standards for themselves and their communities. To support and encourage parents in their role as primary educators of their children.
SPES Facts	Volunteer Mentors: Girls Program-50, Boys Program-55 Staff: Full Time-5, Part Time-9 Total Students Served since 1985: 309 boys and 241 girls High School graduation: All students completing the SPES Program to date have finished high school and gone on to higher education. Collaborating Agencies: Boston Computer Museum, ARTS/Boston, Parents United For Child Care, Boston Partners in Education, Arts in Progress, and the Golden Key National Honor Society Student Ages: 9-18 (5th - 12th grades) Geographic Dist. Dorchester Mattapan Hyde Park Roxbury Boys Program 65% 12% 20% 3% Girls Program 59% 21% 13% 7% Ethnic/Racial Representation: 97% of students are black 75% of students are children of Caribbean Immigrants 50% of students are children of Haitian descent 3% of students are Latino 1% of students are Asian
Key Achievements	100% high school graduation rate for students completing the program 90% student retention rate over the past 2 years SPES students have been accepted to University of Massachusetts at Amherst, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern University, Babson College, Salem State College and Virginia State College Over 100 individuals volunteer their time and talents atleast 2 hours per week Featured in the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and on Channel 5's "Chronicle" Program
SPES Programs	Walgreens One-on-One Project Advance High School Program Reach Higher Visual and Performing Arts Internship Program Community Service CORPS Vermont Music Camp