What we are made of

Hey America, it's time to look closer and listen harder. Because there's a powerful story within each of us. We're a generation living in challenging times, but we're still thriving, overcoming the obstacles the world sometimes throws at us–Isolation. Anxiety. Poverty. Racism. We're more than what meets the eye, so take a minute to find out what we’re really made of—and join the community of support that's helping us succeed.

We’re overcoming personal challenges and confronting systemic barriers like racism, discrimination, and exclusion. Click below to see the stories behind every stat.

  • of at-risk young adults who have a mentor aspire to enroll in and graduate from college. Bruce & Bridgeland, 2014

  • of students who’ve overcome attendance, behavior, and course performance issues have an informal mentor. Bruce & Bridgeland, 2014

  • of young adults who are at-risk for falling off track but have a mentor are more likely to enroll in college. Bruce & Bridgeland, 2014

Now Available in Augmented Reality!

Explore Nasje’s and Anais’ portrait through an online augmented reality experience right on your phone or tablet. The app will animate elements of the mosaic, and you’ll be able to interact with the artwork to learn more about the pictured student.

Download the What We Are Made Of AR App on the App Store or Google Play

We come from small communities and large cities across America. We have different backgrounds and experiences, but we share a common belief. Young people who face challenges in life can be resilient. They just need someone to believe in them and see their potential. Get to know our stories and see what we’re made of.

Alani, Jacksonville, FL
Thumbnail photograph of Alani, Jacksonville, FL
Amia, Kalamazoo, MI
Thumbnail photograph of Amia, Kalamazoo, MI
Angel, El Dorado, KS
Thumbnail photograph of Angel, El Dorado, KS
Anterrious, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Anterrious, Greenville, SC
Arrian, Kalamazoo, MI
Thumbnail photograph of Arrian, Kalamazoo, MI
Carolina, San Antonio, TX
Thumbnail photograph of Carolina, San Antonio, TX
Cecilia, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Cecilia, Greenville, SC
Chaniya, Columbus, Ohio
Thumbnail photograph of Chaniya, Columbus, Ohio
D’kariun, Memphis, TN
Thumbnail photograph of D’kariun, Memphis, TN
Damaris, Cabarrus County, NC
Thumbnail photograph of Damaris, Cabarrus County, NC
Daniel, Kalamazoo, MI
Thumbnail photograph of Daniel, Kalamazoo, MI
Danna, Laredo, TX
Thumbnail photograph of Danna, Laredo, TX
Dezyah, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Dezyah, Greenville, SC
Eric, Greenvillle, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Eric, Greenvillle, SC
Harley, Central Texas
Thumbnail photograph of Harley, Central Texas
Je’ryon, Nashville, TN
Thumbnail photograph of Je’ryon, Nashville, TN
Joanna, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Joanna, Greenville, SC
Joel, Jacksonville, FL
Thumbnail photograph of Joel, Jacksonville, FL
Kaylee, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Kaylee, Greenville, SC
La’Mya, Charlotte, NC
Thumbnail photograph of La’Mya, Charlotte, NC
Laundynn, Jacksonville, FL
Thumbnail photograph of Laundynn, Jacksonville, FL
Leah, Southwest Virginia
Thumbnail photograph of Leah, Southwest Virginia
Markus, Rocky Mount, NC
Thumbnail photograph of Markus, Rocky Mount, NC
Matthew, Kalamazoo, MI
Thumbnail photograph of Matthew, Kalamazoo, MI
Nya, Bradford County, FL
Thumbnail photograph of Nya, Bradford County, FL
Omar, Laredo, TX
Thumbnail photograph of Omar, Laredo, TX
Ornella, Charlotte, NC
Thumbnail photograph of Ornella, Charlotte, NC
Rosendo, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Rosendo, Greenville, SC
Rynasha, Rocky Mount, NC
Thumbnail photograph of Rynasha, Rocky Mount, NC
Samir, Charlotte, NC
Thumbnail photograph of Samir, Charlotte, NC
Santoria,
Thumbnail photograph of Santoria,
Shams, Northern Virginia
Thumbnail photograph of Shams, Northern Virginia
Trayshawn, Kalamazoo, MI
Thumbnail photograph of Trayshawn, Kalamazoo, MI
Trenton, Jacksonville, FL
Thumbnail photograph of Trenton, Jacksonville, FL
Vannessa, Greenville, SC
Thumbnail photograph of Vannessa, Greenville, SC