“It has been said
it is cheaper to put a student through Harvard Law School than to
incarcerate that same person. I think that is what SEI has done.
They‘ve invested early, and they are investing in the future.”
- Senator Mark O. Hatfield,SEI Foundation Board Member
Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) develops successful youth who contribute
to a stronger community. Our kids grow up in and around poverty, violence
and substance abuse, low levels of education and low expectations.
SEI shows them that life has options. We provide the experiences, skills,
hope, and network of caring adults to help inner-city youth overcome
obstacles and succeed personally and academically, becoming self-sufficient,
responsible citizens who each make their own unique contribution to
the community.
SEI Succeeds at Astonishing Rates
SEI serves over 2000 children annually who attend schools where an
average of 83% of the student population lives near or below the
poverty line. Yet, SEI’s success rates are striking. For example,
for the past six years, 98% of SEI freshmen have gone on to graduate
from high school, with an astonishing 85% of them going on to attend
college. Comparatively, only 61% of African American students, and
only 71% of all high school students graduate from Oregon high schools.
There is no other program in the country that approaches these success
rates.
SEI works with the whole child, every day, in schools, in their families,
in the community, from second grade through college. We provide one-on-one
goal setting and case management, academic support, enrichment activities
(arts, life and leadership skills, health and recreation, and technology),
and family support (home visits, parenting classes, referrals for any
needed resources).
“We are not going to arrest our way out of the problem of gang violence; what we need is a holistic approach. In the Northeast community some young people live in a state of fear. They view SEI as a safe haven where they feel supported and loved. They return to their homes where they just want to go to bed and go to sleep - tomorrow can’t get here soon enough so that they can come back to SEI and be with friends and caring adults.”
- A Local Law Enforcement Official
SEI has been recognized as a national leader in youth development and violence prevention, garnering over 25 national and local awards. Its reach is nothing short of phenomenal.
SEI was founded in 1981 by Northeast Portland native
Tony L. Hopson, Sr. as a one week basketball camp for twenty high school
boys. Twenty-five years later, the organization serves over 2000 youth
(ages 8 to 25) and families annually with in-school programs in eleven
Portland public schools; a charter middle school, after school, summer,
and family enrichment programs in its own Center for Self Enhancement;
and in community partnerships with over 100 businesses, non-profits,
govern-
ment agencies, and institutions of higher education.
The SEI Board and staff are committed to the highest standards of program delivery and fiscal responsibility. SEI maintains the low cost of $3000 per student served, and 81% of funding goes directly to service. SEI is funded by a balanced combination of individuals, businesses and corporations, foundations, and local government. Our supporters have made an exemplary commitment to generosity and continued growth so that we can continue to serve more children in more ways that ultimately make a difference for all of us.
“Giving to SEI is more than just a charitable gift - it’s an investment in our community. SEI is about kids having a safe place to grow, to establish positive relationships with adults and other children, to learn that life does indeed have options and that those options are available to them. These kids are going to be our future employees, health care providers, lawyers, and other people we do business with and who impact the quality of life in Oregon. Because of SEI, they are now growing up to be responsible, capable, caring individuals.”
-Linda Wright, US Bancorp Community Relations Manager and SEI Board Member
Become part of the SEI Family!
Donate
Donate on line at www.selfenhancement.org or send a check to Self Enhancement,
Inc., 3920 North Kerby Ave., Portland, OR 97227
Attend
- SEI’s 25th Year Soul Celebration, August 13
- here + now cocktail benefit for young donors, September 7
- art + soul gala dinner and auction, September 9
For more information call Claire Baker at
(503) 249-1721, ext. 244.
Volunteer
Volunteer to help with an event, read to students, assist in an enrichment
class…
 |
For more information
contact Sandra Koelle-Stewart |