FFYP History

The Fast Forward Youth Program began on a shoestring using a Dayton-Hudson Foundation grant and CSB/SJU institutional resources. The program is currently funded by a former regent of Saint John’s University who wishes to remain anonymous and by the CSB/SJU Admissions Office. Here is a brief timeline:

1997-1998

Worked with 8 boys and 4 girls from Willmar Junior High School
Held 5 educational sessions focusing on good study habits and the value of education throughout the school year
Tutor-Mentor program not yet implemented due to lack of financial resources

1998-1999

Tutor-Mentor program introduced
25 CSB/SJU student volunteers
Program expanded to include Rocori School District
25 youth enrolled
First annual Youth Day held at SJU in spring of 1999

1999-2000

Program expanded to include Humboldt High School in St. Paul
40 youth enrolled
28 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Humboldt branch of program discontinued at end of school year due to distance from CSB/SJU
First annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 9 students participating

2000-2001

Partnership established with St. Cloud School District junior and senior high schools
50 youth enrolled
45 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Second annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 17 students participating

2001-2002

63 youth enrolled
51 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Third annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 22 students participating

2002-2003

71 youth enrolled
70 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Fourth annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 15 students participating

2003-2004

65 youth enrolled
78 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Fifth annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 16 students participating

2004-2005

62 youth enrolled
84 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Sixth annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 20 students participating

2005-2006

Opened third site at Monticello High School
79 youth enrolled
104 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Seventh annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 14 high school students participating in four full days of college preparation and exploration.

2006-2007

82 youth enrolled
118 volunteer Tutor-Mentors
Eighth annual FFYP Summer Camp hosted at SJU with 18 high school students participating in five full days of college preparation and leadership development activities.
Introduced new college access programming to be implemented in fall 2007.

2007-2008

52 youth enrolled in new college access program in spring 2008
38 volunteer College-Mentors
Opened new program at Southside Boys' and Girls' Club
First Annual Regional College Visits to Twin Cities and Duluth. Students visited Hamline University, Saint Paul College, College of Saint Scholastica, and Lake Superior College