JULY 21, 2022 — Say Yes Guilford announced a new mission, vision, and values along with a new name: shift_ed.
With a mission to boldly accelerate student potential, shift_ed aims to transform our community through diverse educational and workforce pathways.
shift_ed will continue to meet students and families where they are with supports in elementary, middle, high school, and college, including tutoring, career exploration, college preparation, financial aid assistance, and scholarships.
shift_ed’s board and staff began a comprehensive study of non-profit’s future in 2021, and this spring began work on a new strategic plan with values of opportunity, equity in action, bold collaboration, excellence, and agility leading the way.
“We want our students to know and believe that anything is possible,” says shift_ed President and CEO Wendy Poteat. “We are leaning into the innovation we put into play during the pandemic and boldly collaborating in ways that are imperative for our students and families.”
Students are at the center of shift_ed’s work, so the organization is increasing services to families with the most need. In collaboration with Guilford County Schools, shift_ed is expanding the successful HELPS (Helping Early Literacy with Practice Strategies) tutoring program to every Title 1 elementary school. Every GCS middle school will have access to the YouScience Aptitude and Career Discovery tool, and the Mobile Innovation Lab will roll out for the first time this fall. High schoolers will continue to have access to career and college counseling, free SAT and ACT classes, FAFSA assistance, financial aid workshops; and shift_ed is introducing new programming to support students who will be the first in their family to go to college. Additionally, shift_ed remains committed to supporting graduates continuing with their education by offering last-dollar tuition scholarships.
shift_ed plays a key role in the education continuum, a series of partnerships that supports families from cradle to career. “Our team is passionate about impacting students’ lives,” says Poteat. “It’s energizing to know that when we walk with them on their journeys, they are getting the individualized supports they need for success.”
Since its inception in 2015, shift_ed has partnered with GCS to provide thousands of hours of tutoring, college prep and financial aid workshops, and career counseling to students. Thanks to generous community support shift_ed has awarded more than $12.6 million to GCS graduates. Scholarship registration is open October 1-June 1.