SEA’s mission is to provide higher education advocacy and opportunity to people struggling to overcome poverty and adversity. Our vision: to help homeless and other marginalized youth and young adults make strong transitions to local community colleges so that they can get back on track with their educations and move on to meaningful careers and a living wage.

Description:
SEA provides young people who have struggled with homelessness with the resources they need to transition successfully to college, so that they can finish their educations and contribute to society in professional careers. Homeless youth who want to leave the streets and get a higher education face significant barriers: lack of housing, family support, money for tuition and food, and mentors whom they can trust. They also suffer from low societal expectations and support. By removing these barriers, we open up the world of academic and career opportunities to our young students — the same opportunities that are available to youth from wealthier families.

History:
In 2000, founder Polly Trout transitioned from teaching at San Diego State University to volunteering with homeless youth in Seattle’s University District. While tutoring young people at a youth center, she started researching college opportunities for them but found that these students faced daunting layers of bureaucracy and numerous dead ends. Dr. Trout founded SEA and started its College Success Program in 2002 to fight for the educational rights of homeless young people, and then she started recruiting other like-minded community members to SEA’s board to work hands-on to get students into safe housing and college.

Contact people:

Anthon Smith, Program Director, (phone), (email) Polly Trout, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (206) 523-1003

Address:

1406 N.E. 50th Street, #202 Seattle, WA 98105 This location is NOT handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.seattleeducationaccess.org

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	No
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	No