A recent workshop hosted by Southern California College Access Network discussed the most pressing needs facing students today: the lack of mental health services and the lack of advisor support.  At DTS we are poised to fully address both needs for our students; they are the cornerstones of our programmatic model. Carmen, our full time Wellness Counselor, provides one-on-one counseling, small group counseling, stress management activities and topical workshops. For students needing greater support, Carmen connects the family directly with therapists to ensure the students receive comprehensive care.  DTS covers the cost of these sessions if they are not covered by insurance.  Additionally, every student meets weekly with his/her Advisor.  Advisor check-ins prioritize whole…

As noted in the photo above, the young women of DTS enjoyed meeting with Lia, a first generation college graduate and Smith admissions representative who visited two weeks ago. This month, we look forward to hosting admissions representatives from both Skidmore College and Dickinson College.  This Saturday we are thrilled to take our high school students and their families to Pomona College for our first in person campus visit since the onset of the pandemic. The opportunity to explore the physical campus provides students and parents with information that goes far beyond websites and virtual sessions.  Being on campus allows them to fully, albeit briefly, inhabit the college culture and it makes…

The California Community Foundation (CCF) recognized our distinct summer programs for rising ninth graders through college freshmen and awarded DTS a $20,000 grant through the LA County Summer Learning Initiative. Just over 100 organizations received these funds to support learning and enrichment programs for low-income and vulnerable students in K-12 schools and community-based organizations, collectively serving more than 62,000 students across Los Angeles County.  This unprecedented investment in summer programs was made possible through the generosity of several partner foundations and donors including a transformative gift of $5 million from Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization co-founded by Connie and Steve Ballmer. Major contributors tothe initiative…

Congratulations to our high school graduates who are now rising college freshmen!  They have officially become our DTS College Class of 2025.  They received their college t-shirts, as agraduation gift from DTS, and shared some big smiles as they gathered for our two week Bridge to College workshop to help prepare them for the transition to college.  Emerald, who is headed to UC Merced in the fall, said that Bridge to College taught her “what it is going to be like to live away from my parents. And while this is something I have never done before, I take comfort in knowing my DTS…

“I am spending the summer in Aurora, Colorado and working for the Aurora Community Connections Center (ACC). ACC is a family resource center for low-income, Spanish speaking Latino immigrants.  I will be developing and implementing an academic tutoring program for English language learners ages 5-11. I will also be part of the Science Can Be Fun program and Service Learning/Leadership programs for high school students.”                                                     Martha, Bates College ’23 “This summer I will be working closely with…