About
What We Do
The Problem
On average, high school students receive 30 minutes of college and career counseling over the course of four years of high school. The student to counselor ratio is averaging between 200 to 400 students to one school counselor. Often students lack the support necessary to help them identify what post-secondary options they have for them to make informed decisions. In turn, there is an increasing achievement gap between students who are low income/inner city and students in higher incomes. All students should be made aware of their options beyond high school. An informed student is a destined student.
“Ready Graduate” measures whether students are ready for college and careers after high school and whether the percentage of students who are ready is improving from one year to the next.
Shelby County Schools-19.6%
State of TN- 40.3%
%
of all jobs in the economy will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school.
%
of students that graduate from a Tennessee High School enroll in some type of postsecondary institution
%
of Shelby County Schools students enroll in some type of postsecondary institution
Our Solution
We provide our scholars with a comprehensive program that begins in 9th grade of high school through the age of 24. Programming generally takes place during the school day as well as weekly virtual meetings. Through collaboration with schools, businesses, and communities we can Engage, Equip, and Empower our scholars. Whether they choose to enroll in a 2-year, 4-year, trade/technical school, the military, or go straight into the workforce, we want our scholars to be aware of all opportunities and equipped for success!
Services Offered
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Academic and College Planning Financial Aid Assistance Admission Application Assistance Scholarship Application Assistance College Tours College Fairs Test Preparation (ACT/SAT)
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Mentorship Community Service Job Shadowing & Placement Resume Building Career Exploration Interview Preparation
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Our Core Values
Educational Objectives & School-Improvement Solutions
During/After-School Programming: age/grade appropriate
Tutoring and test prep; academic planning; career & college readiness
Pathways: career-exploration opportunities (Advocacy, Policy & Business)
Business Innovations
Entrepreneurial opportunities and resources for families
Job searches, readiness, and workforce development initiatives
Outreach Strategies
Mentoring Program: monthly sessions of empowerment, information, inspiration & outreach opportunities
Community Awareness and Engagement opportunities
Parent/Community Workshops (advocacy, educational equity, school choice)
resources
- Shelby County Schools
- College Readiness/Access
- Test Preparation
- Tennessee Financial Aid
- Federal Student Aid
Shelby County Schools
Shelby County Schools Transcript Request
PowerSchool
Virtual College Tours
https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
Common App
Common Black College Application(HBCUs)
https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/
ACT
ACT Practice Questions
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html
SAT
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
AP Students
TSAC Student Portal (State of TN Funding)
https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/tsac-student-portal.html
TN Promise
TN Hope Lottery
Tennessee Financial Aid Additional Information
https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/fin-aid-resources.html
Fee Waiver for State of TN Employees and Teachers
There are two programs available to facilitate postsecondary educational opportunities for State employees and their dependents, as well as dependents of public school teachers: fee waiver for State employees and fee discount for children of State employees and public school teachers.
PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION FEE WAIVER FOR EMPLOYEES OF STATE OF TENNESSEE: https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/legal-and-external-affairs/redirect-legal-and-external-affairs/fee-waiver-and-fee-discount-programs.html
PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION FEE DISCOUNT FOR CHILDREN OF LICENSED PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND CHILDREN OF STATE EMPLOYEES: https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/legal-and-external-affairs/redirect-legal-and-external-affairs/fee-waiver-and-fee-discount-programs.html
Understanding Aid
https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid
(Step 1) FSA ID: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm
(Step 2) Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
SchoolSeed Foundation/MyScholly (Shelby County School Students)
http://schoolseed.org/?pn=How%20to%20Access%20Scholly%20through%20SchoolSeed
Unigo
https://www.unigo.com/scholarships
DoSomething.org
https://www.dosomething.org/us/about/easy-scholarships
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (HBCUs)
https://www.tmcf.org/students-alumni/scholarships/
UNCF (HBCUs)
JLV College Counseling
YouthBuild
YouthBuild Memphis is a 501(c)(3) organization helping young people rebuild their lives. Their unique, nine-month program provides high school dropouts with an opportunity to earn their high school diploma or high school equivalent while learning vital job skills and providing valuable community services.
http://southmemphisrenewal.org/youthbuild/
WIN-Youth Services
The Workforce Investment Network’s Youth Services Department offers educational and career development programs for eligible youth ages 14 – 24.
https://workforcemidsouth.com/youth
MPLOY Youth Summer Experience-Office of Youth Services
MPLOY is a locally funded initiative administered by MOYS that provides City of Memphis youth ages 14 to 22 with meaningful and rewarding summer experiences. The MPLOY Youth Summer Experience offers various career path options according to the participants’ strengths and interests, including soft skills training, entry-level positions, and internships. Some of the top employers in the Memphis area make this possible by agreeing to serve as Business Partners and Service Providers, offering structured job opportunities for youth for six weeks during the summer months.
https://www.cityofmemphisyouth.org/mploy-youth
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA)
WIOA Youth serves eligible participants who are 14-24 years of age facing specific barriers to employment or school completion. WIOA places a priority on serving out-of-school youth by providing work-based experience and improving services to youth with disabilities. WIOA promotes career pathways, increased attainment of recognized credentials and post-secondary certificates or degrees. Youth must meet eligibility requirements to participate in the WIOA Title I Youth Program.
Army ROTC: Round out your college experience by participating in other campus activities as well. You can have the best of two worlds, civilian and military, and get a college experience unlike any other.
If you’re interested in attending college while learning what it takes to become an Army Officer, ROTC may be right for you. In addition to teaching you valuable leadership skills, military training, and discipline, ROTC can also provide you with money for tuition and other expenses through scholarships.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/become-an-officer/how-to-become-an-officer-in-the-army.html
U.S. Navy: Whether you’re looking to join as an Enlisted Sailor or Officer, the process is simple. The first steps for getting started, talking to a recruiter, to taking the Oath of Enlistment and advancing to your initial training.
https://www.navy.com/joining-the-navy/get-started
U.S. Air Force: When you enlist in the Air Force with a high school diploma or GED in hand, you’ll not only get hands-on training to learn a job integral to the Air Force, you’ll also earn college credits toward an associate degree.
https://www.airforce.com/how-to-join/process/enlisted
U.S. Marines: Becoming an Enlisted Marine requires the ability to meet the highest standards of moral, mental and physical strength. It also requires completing an aptitude test, passing an initial strength test (IST) and meeting certain eligibility requirements. Thirteen demanding weeks of recruit training ultimately determine if you’re capable of becoming a Marine.
https://rmi.marines.com/request-information
National Guard: Enlisting in the National Guard means more time at home. Training typically requires one weekend each month, with a two-week training period once each year.
https://www.nationalguard.com/select-your-state/TN
U.S. Coast Guard: The Coast Guard is a unique branch of the military responsible for saving lives, protecting the environment, and defending America’s coastlines and waterways.
Education Benefits for Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
GI Bill and Other Veterans Education Programs
https://www.usa.gov/education-military-veterans
Veterans Education Benefits: https://www.va.gov/education/
GI Bill: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/
https://www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply/
Educational and Career Counseling (VA Chapter 36)
https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/education-and-career-counseling/
Compare schools with the GI Bill Comparison Tool
Shelby County Schools COVID-19 Weekly Update
http://www.scsk12.org/coronavirusfacts/
Free Education Resources
Free Internet Service
Comcast is offering free internet service to new customers who qualify as “low-income” for 60 days. They’re also providing unlimited data and higher internet speed to their customers during the pandemic.
Adobe Creative Suite and Portfolio
Adobe is providing free at-home access to its Creative Suite to students whose schools (both K-12 and higher education) provide lab access on campus. This resource is available through May 31 and can be accessed by requesting it from your school.
College students can also take advantage of Adobe Portfolio, the website-building software designed for creating online portfolios. This offer is separate from the Creative Suite, includes unlimited pages and hosting, and is available for 60 days.
Video Conferencing
While you may already be using a video conferencing platform, it’s worth recognizing that there are multiple software available, and many are giving complimentary access to premium services as students are required to go digital. As you start setting up virtual meetings for group projects, or if you just want to check in with friends and family, look into Google Hangouts Meet, Zoom, and Adobe Connect, which is offering free access through July 1.
Online Library Resources
Although many public libraries are closed temporarily, their online options are still active and accessible. Don’t have a library card? Use the Libby by Overdrive mobile app to get an instant library card and access thousands of free ebooks and audiobooks. You can also access free books, movies, software, and more from libraries around the world through Internet Archive.
SoftMaker Productivity Suite
SoftMaker Office is essentially a Microsoft Office alternative, and for the next six months, they’re offering free access to their entire suite to students of all ages. Plus, they’ve made it clear that this resource will be maintained throughout the length of the pandemic, so the offer may be extended if needed.
City Of Memphis COVID-19 Resources
Mayor Strickland COVID-19 Updates
https://covid19.memphistn.gov/
Mid-South COVID-19 Regional Response Fund
https://www.cfgm.org/give-now/covid-19-regional-response-fund/
Congressman Steve Cohen Coronavirus Resource Site
https://cohen.house.gov/coronavirus-resources
Parent Plus-Free Parent Support Programs
https://www.parentplus901.org/
Students Helped
Business Partners
Board Members
School Partners
Get In Touch
Location: P.O. Box 161468 | Memphis, TN. 38186
Telephone: 901-302-0251
Email: info@destinyhousememphis.org
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Destiny House does not discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, orientation nor economical background. We are dedicated to providing services to all students in need within the Greater Memphis area.