Our vision  is for high school students of color city-wide to each have a college student of color mentor. We believe that positive role-models can cultivate each youth's perception of themselves, lead them on a path to success, and encourage scholastic achievement. 

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As a 501(c)(3) recognized school-based non-profit organization of college students of color, we diligently serve high school aged students from all over the city of Philadelphia. Since 2016, we have provided professional development, mentoring services, and internship opportunities for students at Strawberry Mansion Learning Center, The U School, Kensington High School, Benjamin Franklin High School, Frankford High School, Kensington High School, and Microsoft School of the Future just to name a few. 

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In a city where over 60,000 kids live under the poverty guideline, and 1/3 youth will grow up without a mentor our "why" is clear. At DonCARES we believe that the people who represent higher education and academic success matter. When our high school students see their mentors are twenty-something-year-old college students of color, their perspective of what can be achieved can change.

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Research suggests that young adults who were at-risk for falling off track but had a mentor are: 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% and more likely to volunteer regularly, 90% are interested in becoming a mentor, and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions (Mentoring Impact). Here at DonCARES we believe mentoring is one of the most important factors in our students' success, which is why we dedicate ourselves to mentoring those who need it most. 

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