At Leading Youth Through Empowerment (LYTE), we believe that educational success is foundational to lifelong success. LYTE changes the trajectory of under-represented youth by preparing middle school students to attend and succeed at competitive high school programs and then colleges, by providing personal mentoring, rigorous academic instruction, and leadership opportunities. LYTE’s core belief is that educational success forms a strong foundation for life success, but educational opportunities and the supports needed to excel are often not equitably available to all students. LYTE’s programming levels the playing field for economically underserved students of color – a critical need in Delaware.

LYTE helps middle school students push through the achievement gap by providing after-school and summer advancing classes, tutoring, and test prep that catapults our Scholars to success. Our Scholars get into top performing high school programs and LYTE continues to support them throughout high school by preparing them to pursue college degrees that fit their goals. 100% of LYTE Scholars graduate high school, compared to the statewide graduation rate of 80% for low-income students in 2022 (Delaware Department of Education). 100% of LYTE Scholars are accepted to college, with a majority of their educational expenses paid through grants, scholarships, and financial aid. LYTE Scholars have been accepted to and received scholarships from top-ranked colleges and universities all across the U.S., including Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Swarthmore, Amherst, and many more.

Right now, people all across Delaware are coming together to make a profound impact on their communities, and we urge you to be a part of it by supporting our mission to help low-income students overcome the achievement gap. Your donation today will be the catalyst for immense change. It will help us transform our Scholars’ lives – from getting low-income middle schoolers into top high school programs, to sending our seniors off to college with almost all expenses paid through scholarships and financial aid. Whether it's $5, $10, or any amount you can spare, every contribution matters.

Your donation, no matter the amount, can help us support our low-income, BIPOC students. 

Your generosity has the power to turn dreams into reality for our ambitious, underserved students. With your help, we can amplify our efforts, reach more students, and cause meaningful change where it's needed the most.

Today, your participation matters more than ever. We know that even a small contribution can make a significant difference. Join us on this momentous day, and let's create lasting change in our communities together. 

At Leading Youth Through Empowerment, we are on a mission to transform the lives of underserved youth in Delaware through education. We believe that educational success is the foundation to lifelong success and we're dedicated to changing the trajectory of under-represented students.

Consider this: There are zero high-achieving middle or high schools in Delaware that serve predominantly low-income students. Academic opportunities and the support needed for students to excel are often not equitably available. For example, low-income students are typically not offered advanced coursework such as AP and honors classes, whether due to a lack of academic track record, lack of advocacy on their behalf, or simply a lack of recognition of their capabilities. Delaware's students face stark disparities in education and graduation rates based on their race, ethnicity, and economic class. This problem leads to a cycle of poverty and racial injustice that is felt by the entire community. 

Leading Youth Through Empowerment gives ambitious underserved students life-changing opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them. LYTE serves low- to moderate-income students in grades 8 through 12. We are actively serving more than 475 LYTE Scholars, and our Scholars attend over 90 middle school and high school programs across all three counties in Delaware. 

LYTE helps economically underserved students of color push through the achievement gap by offering rigorous academic instruction, personal mentoring, and leadership opportunities that catapults our Scholars to success. After participating in LYTE’s academic advancing coursework and receiving school choice guidance and high school application support, our middle school Scholars are able to get into top performing high school programs. LYTE continues to support them throughout high school by preparing them to pursue college degrees that fit their goals, including college application support and financial aid training. LYTE Scholars have a 100% high school graduation rate and a 100% college acceptance rate, with millions received in scholarships, grants, and financial aid. 

LYTE is passionate about breaking barriers and creating opportunities for these deserving students, but we can't do it alone. The solution is a collective one, rooted in compassion and shared responsibility. When you support LYTE, you directly contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and offering support where it's needed most. Your generous donation enables us to empower students, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed. Join us and become an essential part of our mission to empower the next generation, ensuring that underserved students in Delaware have the tools and support needed to thrive. 

For more information, please visit our website at www.lytescholars.org, or contact marisa.ray@lytescholars.org.