PFF provides work experiences, transportation, job skills training, and college preparation programming.  PFF student participants commit to participating in the program for two years—the last two academic years of high school and three consecutive summers starting the summer after 10th grade and ending the summer before they leave for college. Students can only apply and enter the program in their 10th grade year.

The PFF summer session requires a student commitment of approximately 35-40 hours per week (the equivalent of a full time job).  PFF students work four days per week and spend the fifth day in PFF-coordinated training.

During the school year, students participate in programming about 1-3 hours per month that include sessions on career exploration, personal development, college, and more; special workshops and fairs for students and parents; and one-on-one mentoring.

Summer Training Curriculum

• Summer 1 (Level 1): Focus is on building basic job and interpersonal skills.  Each of the weekly sessions is linked to the Eight Sectors of Life, a way of helping the students explore areas of their lives they will want to enhance as they enter the worlds of college and work.  The sectors are: Self-Identity, Spiritual, Intellectual, Professional, Financial, Emotional, Physical, and Relational. Workshops are designed to be interactive and to encourage students to step outside of their comfort zone. Outside speakers and facilitators round out the curriculum.
  
  
• Summer 2 (Level 2): Focus is on college access and preparation.  Each Friday of the summer session is spent on the campus of one of PFF’s College/University Partners where students participate in activities that introduce them to that particular institution and address issues important to any student considering college. Students also begin to craft their college essay.
  
  
• Summer 3 (Level 3): Focus is on the transition to college and embracing adulthood.  Students participate in Visiting Professor workshops and hear from a variety of panels comprised of college students and personnel who represent the “real” college world.  Students also design and execute volunteer service activities in the Richmond community for the summer.

Student Recruitment Timeline

• November/December: introductory letters go out to tenth-graders with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are attending PFF’s partner high schools
• January: student applications available; PFF visits partner high schools
• Mid Februray: student applications due to PFF
• March: finalist interviews
• April: finalists notified of their status
• May: Assessment and Orientation Day (all day Saturday) for accepted students and parents
• June: start of PFF summer program

Need more information? Contact Holly Gordon.