Hillside Strong: Stories of Hillside
“Some kids don’t like asking for help”: Like many students, Syracuse native Jai’Lynn Holloman faced struggles in school – he held onto a sense of what he wanted his future to hold, but was unsure about how to achieve his goals. That began to change in the eighth grade, when he joined the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection program. With support and guidance from his HWSC Youth Advocate, Jai’Lynn was able to focus on his studies and visualize a pathway of success.
As a member of the ITC High School Class of 2024, Jai’Lynn is eager to take his next steps toward higher education and exploring a career in the visual arts. He says his relationship with Autumn Gilbert, his HWSC Youth Advocate, played a critical role toward his earning a diploma and preparing for the future: “I’m glad I have someone like her in my life.”
Autumn praises Jai’Lynn’s commitment to his studies, and says her genuine love for her work helps her build strong, positive relationships with her HWSC students. “It feels amazing to be a part of this program,” she says, and to help students “better their futures … better their lives.”
Stronger Futures Together: How You Can Help
The successes behind these Stories of Hillside are the result of partnerships—among youth, families and staff; community partners committing time, expertise and resources; and donors whose support empowers key programs and drives our innovation. Your support for our work can take many forms, and will help countless young people and adults achieve the stronger futures they deserve.
Become a Foster Parent at Hillside
The need for stable, loving foster homes has never been greater. Hillside provides training and support to ensure your success.
Work at Hillside
As a member of the Hillside team, you’ll advance your career while making a difference every day.
Donate to Hillside
Your generosity ensures the strength of our programs today, and helps us reach more youth, adults and families tomorrow.
Stronger Futures Together: How You Can Help
The successes behind these Stories of Hillside are the result of partnerships—among youth, families and staff; community partners committing time, expertise and resources; and donors whose support empowers key programs and drives our innovation. Your support for our work can take many forms, and will help countless young people and adults achieve the stronger futures they deserve.
Become a Foster Parent at Hillside
The need for stable, loving foster homes has never been greater. Hillside provides training and support to ensure your success.
Donate to Hillside
Your generosity ensures the strength of our programs today, and helps us reach more youth, adults and families tomorrow.
Work at Hillside
As a member of the Hillside team, you’ll advance your career while making a difference every day.
About Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection
Founded in 1987, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (HWSC) is dedicated to reversing the trend of low high school graduation rates, and helping students realize their potential—in the classroom, in the community and in life.
The core of the program is the close relationship between each student and their HWSC Youth Advocate, a dedicated professional placed in the school who provides structure and motivation. The YA unites all dimensions of a student’s life, with a particular focus on Academic Support, Job Readiness and Youth Development.
Students who participate in Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection regularly enjoy higher graduation rates than their non-participating peers, while receiving critical job-readiness training that prepares them for post-school success.
LEARN MORE
- Click here to learn more about the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection model, and ongoing HWSC partnerships with school districts in greater Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton, Utica, and Prince George County, Maryland.
- An annually published HWSC Outcomes Report describes the risk factors that lead to student eligibility, and tracks the program’s success for each graduating class. Click here to read the latest HWSC Outcomes Report.
- The monthly Conversations with the CEO podcast includes recent HWSC-related discussions with a Rochester Youth Advocate who was recognized with Hillside’s 2024 Chair’s Award, and with the leader of HWSC’s Syracuse program about digital equity issues facing students and families in that region. Click here to review podcast topics and join the conversation.