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Meeting a community need

MSS in the community

The purpose of Main Street Scholars (MSS) is to serve the academic needs of Coastside students in kindergarten through college, create jobs for local college students, community adults who want to engage in meaningful work, and teachers who need a second job, all with flexible scheduling.

The broader mission of MSS is to lift the community with three calls to action—supporting students with an academic situations that allows them to reach their potential and thrive, employing community members who need a flexible schedule, and by performing community service.

HMB demographics

  • Population
    11,400
  • Median Household Income
    $157,000
  • Median Home Price
    $1.5 – 1.9 million
  • Median Rent — 2 bedrooms
    $2588 – 4700
  • White
    60%
  • Hispanic
    30%
  • Other
    10%

More than 3/4 of the Hispanic population identify as farm workers, whose median income is about a third of the median area income. Many work in restaurants and trades or perform household services.

Although many of these students need our help, they cannot afford it. MSS maintains a small scholarship fund, but the high cost of rent and wages limits us.

How we help the community

Providing Jobs

We create above-minimum-wage jobs for our community. To date, more than 100 people have been employed by MSS, serving over 1,000 students.

Hours are flexible, and perfect for college students who are working towards degrees, or for seniors and other adults who need extra income.

Supporting Local Students

Working with the local school district, MSS helps identify students who need 1:1 support in order to thrive. We work with students in kindergarten through college in our coaching center or school (grades 7–12), writing curriculum to match their individual needs, whether they need support in one subject, or all of them.

We pay for online apps so every student has acccess, and make sure students have food and bus fare.

Early College High School (ECHS)

Working directly with local community college admission to create individual pathways for students, our ECHS supports students who might not otherwise go to college—helping them earn an AA, certification, or build transfer credits.

We support students who pursue community college and academies to become first responders—firefighters, sheriffs, lifeguards, etc.

Community Service

We provide opportunities for high school students to fill their community service requirements. We also participate with other nonprofits to teach CPR classes on campus, sponsor little league, provide backpacks and supplies to local students in need, and conduct food drives.

We foster senior community with an intergenerational program.

College Admissions

MSS provides academic coaching for students taking the SAT or ACT for college admissions, and help them navigate the admissions process.

Internships

We help find and provide support for interneships for high school students, and recruit volunteer experts to support students’ senior projects.

Scholarships

MSS grants as many scholarships as possible to students who need financial help—especially those from single-parent households.

Pro Bono Community Work

The MSS administrators average approximately 700 hours of pro bono community work per year.

Internships

MSS helps find and support internship opportunities for high school students, and recruits expert help to support senior projects.

Seminars

We conduct free seminars to help parents understand how to navigate college admissions in the 21st century—a key component of student success.

Our local community deserves the quality of academic support given by MSS. When MSS can reduce its costs and keep paying its workers, we will be better able to support the whole student population.