We proudly serve the entire Santa Barbara County.
REACH is an experiential program for motivated high school students facing financial barriers to secondary education. By combining traditional with nature-based learning, we cultivate each student’s
innate abilities so they can confidently traverse from high school to college.
We believe that education paves the path out of intergenerational poverty.
Over 610 alumni students
Students per cohort
Current fellows
Alumni network
Graduation rate
Our program supports students with cultivating the skills necessary as they transition from high school to college. This transitional phase can be challenging, perplexing, and isolating. We equip REACH Fellows with essential resources and establish connections with community partners they make well-informed decisions.
We provide individualized college planning, SAT preparation courses, educational resources for parents, college tours, and additional support to prepare REACH Fellows for college.
Students learn to complete a college application, effectively explore their choices, and write a winning essay. REACH also offers workshops on financing post-secondary education, so money isn't a barrier.
We equip students with the necessary resources to support their mental and physical health, including classes in nutrition, cooking, mindfulness, and other essential life skills. Qualifying REACH students can access free orthodontics
REACH offers a myriad of outdoor experiences designed to promote personal development, boost self-confidence, and build resiliency. Students take part in a high-ropes course, backpacking expeditions, rock climbing, and a graduation trip in the US or internationally.
We provide countless personal growth and development workshops, including academic and career coaching, financial literacy, and identity development.
We support REACH Fellows from the moment they step onto the high-ropes course until program completion during the first year of college. We continue to stand behind REACH alumni with support and guidance even after they graduate and go on to successful careers.
"REACH has helped break my social shell and has helped me make amazing new connections inside and even outside the program. You may be out of your comfort zone at times, but it's with those moments that I found great possibilities and new doors that open up, and I can't thank REACH enough for providing the keys to unlock them."
"REACH has been a helpful program because it has exposed me to experiences that I otherwise wouldn't have had. It has truly pushed me to my limit in both the aspects of academia and the aspect of lifestyle. It has encouraged me to adopt good habits and continues to set me up on a path to success. The resources that REACH provided for me were better than those of any other college preparatory program. I am glad to say that those resources benefitted me and helped me reach the place that I now call home.
"The support that REACH offers is unlike any other, whether it is help with college applications, overcoming a fear of heights through a ropes course, or even personal support from other REACHers around a camp fire. REACH has given me many adventurous and exciting memories that I will cherish forever"
"REACH has been nothing but abundant blessings to me and my family. While being a part of the program, I have become a better scholar, adventurer, and person overall and the experiences have taught me so much and have allowed me to strengthen my body, heart, and mind. I am also extremely grateful for the staff as they aren’t only instructors and mentors, but most importantly, they are your friends; they genuinely care about you and want you to succeed in life, which is why they do what they do in order to achieve that with you. This program has taught me so many life lessons that I will treasure for the rest of my life and hope to one day be able to share with future generations."
"The REACH program was my unparalleled support system that provided invaluable mentorship, guidance, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It not only equipped me with the knowledge to succeed in higher education but also changed the trajectory of my life. The REACH team and cohort became a second family, fostering a strong community that transcended graduation. I forged lasting connections and learned the importance of occupying spaces not traditionally meant for someone like me. REACH taught me resilience, motivating me to climb mountains, kayak through lakes, scuba dive in the Caribbean and much more. REACH's impact extends beyond graduation, fostering a profound connection with nature and oneself."
The REACH program begins in junior high when students participate in workshops to prepare for the college application phase. Then, students embark on a six-day immersive college tour in the summer. They stay in dorms, dine in commons, and get a taste of college life. In the senior year of the program, we help students navigate the college application process so they can make informed decisions. During the final year of the REACH program, our Fellows are in college or another post-secondary path and we provide workshops and support to ensure student success.
A 2 ½ year experiential program that supports Fellows through critical transitional phases.
Program designed to develop a well rounded individual
Over 40 courses, trips, and workshops
REACH Fellows embark on outdoor adventures to get a deeper connection with nature. The first year, Junior Fellows challenge themselves with a high-ropes course plus other outdoor activities. Senior Fellows enjoy camping and hiking, an eight-day backpacking trip to Sierra Nevada, and a rock-climbing trip in Joshua Tree National Park. Graduating Fellows go on an optional 18-day immersive trip to Lake Superior or Bolivia to celebrate their accomplishments. REACH Alumni have traveled to various destinations around the globe, including California, Colorado, Montana, Ecuador, the Bahamas, and Bolivia.
Fellows receive essential resources to assist them before and during college applications. Support continues through their first year in college to ensure they are ready for the remainder of their academic journey. Additionally, students participate in diverse personal development courses, such as financial literacy and identity development workshops, to foster growth beyond the classroom.
The REACH program offers more than 40 courses, trips, and workshops.
REACH graduates are REACHers for life. We establish lifelong mentorships, and our Fellows often revisit us, and their peer Fellows, for guidance on college experiences, academics, and personal development.
Your contribution enables us to provide our Fellows with the necessary tools and resources, ensuring access to postsecondary education and equitable opportunities to experience the outdoors.
Support a program with over 610 alumni students and growing!
REACH empowers high school students facing financial barriers through experiential learning, blending traditional and nature-based education.
info@myreachnetwork.org
1221 Chapala St First Floor #9 Santa Barbara, CA 93101
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