Our Mission
To create a mentoring home that cultivates students' God-given potential for learning, leadership, life and loving relationships.
SWAG 2018 SWAG 2022 SWAG 2024
Our Principles
At Students With A Goal, we are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Our after school program offers a variety of educational activities, homework assistance, and mentorship to help students reach their full potential. Founded on the belief that every child deserves access to quality education, SWAG strives to empower students to become confident, lifelong learners. Join us in shaping a brighter future for our youth.
Our History
Students With a Goal (SWAG) began with a remarkable group of 12 teenage leaders who frequently came by the Miller Avenue United Church of Christ (UCC) to get something to eat after school. Among the things they talked about was their desire for an after school program. Following their lead, the pastor of the church brought together a number of non-profit organizations in the Summit Lake neighborhood. Together, they created the framework for the program, collected seed money, and launched a pilot program in January 2013, originally called “Youth Alive,” which met at OPEN M. As the program grew, space was obtained at the Summit Lake Community Center and the newly formed Reach Opportunity Center. Students who were active in the program chose a new name, “Students With A Goal” (SWAG), to best describe the program.
Dedicated leaders of organizations in the Summit Lake neighborhood along with suburban churches formed the SWAG Board, with the United Way of Summit County serving as the fiscal agent. The Board developed by-laws, articles of incorporation, received official status as a 501 (c) 3 in 2017, and actively seeks funds necessary to sustain the program.