True North Youth Program

With the support of adult Navigators we envision that every teen participant in True North Youth Program will graduate from High School with a plan and a path to follow into adulthood. We are an all-inclusive organization with hopes to help every teen succeed through high school and beyond.

Testimonials

"All of the True North activities they do along the way help to strengthen their resume so when the time comes to apply for scholarships, they are truly a well-rounded individual and a competitive candidate." - Daily Planet article

"It was awesome... yet again! They all had a blast! You are fantastic and the organization behind you is SO much fun, always seamless from a spectator's (my) end. Thank you! True North is near and dear to my heart... angelic in many ways and I am so, very grateful!"
- Jody Brown (parent of two teens, after our return from Moab, 2019)

"Thank you. That was an excellent day. I think we all learnt tons of valuable information. I am deeply grateful for all the help and knowledge. I want my children to get the education I never did. So today was very meaningful to me. Thank you" - Parent after the 2019 College & Career Conference

Student Success Story:
We have known David since he was five years old. During Kindergarten, David lost his father tragically to a heart attack and has since been raised by his single mother. When he was 11, his mother had twins, but she also continued to provide financial support for the whole family by working as a cleaning staff for a local hotel. Thus, David became the primary caregiver for his twin siblings, and spent an average of 40 hours per week walking them home from school, helping them with homework, preparing their meals, and putting them to bed. Once his brother and sister were in bed, David would start his homework, around 8pm every night. David never had time for any extracurricular activities or sports. However, even with his free time taken by childcare responsibilities, he managed to maintain a 3.2 GPA. David participated in True North community service activities when he was able, and True North volunteers helped him to participate by making accommodations for his younger siblings and even offering child care. True North found David a part time summer job and then facilitated David's enrollment in a leadership program through Telluride Academy and covered his lost wages so he could participate. During David's senior year in high school, True North practiced "intrusive advising" by maintaining consistent communication and encouraged him to apply for certain scholarships. David was accepted into University of Colorado at Boulder Leeds School of Business and was invited to participate in a Scholar's Summer Bridge Program. Additionally, he was awarded a generous institutional financial aid package, as well as numerous local scholarships, including True North's Skyler Kelly Memorial Scholarship. He is now able to attend college without taking on any loans. True North was also able to equip David with a bicycle to take to CU in the fall, a gift to the organization from a donor. David thanked True North in his graduation speech. David has now completed his first two years in the Leeds School of Business and maintained a 3.7 GPA. During the summer of 2021, True North helped David update his resume and connected him with a paid internship at Alpine Bank while he was home in Telluride. He was then able to transfer to an Alpine Bank in Boulder when he returned for the start of his junior year in school. We look forward to seeing David continue to succeed in his future endeavors.