STORIES OF SUCCESS
Learn more about our impact with Forest Hill High School's choir group who are ready to perform at Radio City Music Hall.
95% success rate - In the last three years, 120 teens have been in our program –
114 are now in college, the military or trade school.
“Before First Serve, my family couldn’t afford groceries. But as a mentor with First Serve, I now work full time at a daycare center. I love my job. First Serve also helped me in my pursuit of college by surrounding me with support from people who believed in me. They also helped pay for my schooling as well, which was a big help. Before First Serve, I was not going to go to college. If it wasn’t for First Serve I would have been probably working at McDonalds. “Before First Serve, no one payed close enough to the children academically, but now that First Serve is here, the mentors love the idea of college. If it wasn’t for First Serve my concern would be for what comes next for the students and their plans for their futures. The area that First Serve has helped them most has been regarding their education, and building relationships." What I appreciate most about First Serve is their friendship and understanding. They truly care for people, and you don’t see that very much today.”
Efficient with Budget - 0% was spent on buildings.
“Before First Serve, no one payed close enough to the children academically, but now that First Serve is here, the mentors love the idea of college. If it wasn’t for First Serve my concern would be for what comes next for the students and their plans for their futures. The area that First Serve has helped them most has been regarding their education, and building relationships."
Over $1 million dollars has gone directly into the households of those teen mentors.
“First Serve has helped me as an educator to understand that my students all have different ways of learning and ways of processing information."
Each year the young mentees in our program receive over 500 hours active engagement with their teen mentors
“First Serve has really helped me push my daughter to do better. Little ones like my daughter, love spending time with her older “friends” there. She is able to ask for help on her homework, which is something I am not good at.”
In the last three years over 1000 elementary and middle school children have been positively influenced by our teen mentors
“If it wasn’t for First Serve, I wouldn’t have a job right now. When I saw my friends who worked for First Serve coming home with energy and excitement to go back and do it the next day, it really impacted me."
100% of our teen mentors experienced improved self-esteem once employed
“First Serve PAL’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that young people’s individual strengths and capabilities can guide them to mature, productive adulthood with the proper encouragement and commitment.
First Serve PAL’s activities are great opportunities for young people to expand their horizons and realize their full potential. First Serve PAL is committed to training it’s staff in current youth development practices and works towards ensuring that all youth have a voice and an opportunity to succeed. PBSO is fully committed to the First Serve PAL program.”