Southwestern Advantage, the longest running summer program that allows entrepreneurial college and university students to sell learning system tools, recently partnered with Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee (YLFT) through Southwestern’s “Share The Advantage” outreach program, as both share an aim to help children get ahead, obtain better grades and learn life skills. After communications directors met for the first time at a local Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) meeting, it became clear that the partnership was a perfect fit.
“Since not everyone can afford or come into contact with the products that the college students at Southwestern Advantage sell, we have been able to donate products all over the world to individuals and organizations —from orphans in Mexico to kids just like the ones served at YLFT. The college students in our program are a key part to helping children, as they work with organizations in their own hometowns to ‘share the advantages.’…I think YLFT is unique, because it is faith-based and the children it is assisting are those who are in dire need to perform better in school. Also, having multiple centers means more reach in different areas.” – Trey Campbell, Director of Communications at Southwestern Advantage.
For preschoolers through high school students, Southwestern Advantage’s tools include thousands of interactive learning tools such as videos, practice problems and quizzes, language learning and plenty of reference content. These resources are able to be accommodate students at various levels of pace, skill and progress.
“We do individualized learning plans …we recognize that every child is a different learner with different skill sets and different passions, so any resource that allows us to individualize that gives them choice within their learning, making it fun and engaging.” – Lindsay Daly, Program Director of Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee.
“We are excited and inspired to have such a partnership with Southwestern Advantage. This is the type of corporate partnership that will help our city impact the achievement gap.” – Yolanda Shields, CEO, Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee.
After watching Giraffe on the projector to introduce the program, the eight-foot mascot walked through the door to surprise the students. Between the singing, clapping and smiles, we know the students were overjoyed to receive these gifts. Although their first trip was to Youth Life Learning Centers at Hillside, Southwestern Advantage plans to hit other Youth Life locations. We would like to thank Southwestern Advantage for our recent collaboration, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for our partnership. Learn more about Share the Advantage.
Visit their 
Facebook page to see more pictures from Southwestern Advantage’s visit to YLLC-Hillside.
Also, don’t forget to watch their 
video to see the reactions of Youth Life students and hear more from Lindsay Daly about what the partnership will mean for Youth Life Learning Centers.
Youth Life Learning Centers 