What is Aum Foundation?
The Aum Foundation is a grassroots, nonprofit organization formed with the mission to empower socially and economically under-resourced females to become successful.
Currently, the Aum Foundation supports active program participants in mentorship programs across Decatur, Huntsville, Madison, and Selma, AL as well as 100+ alumni who have completed the program since 2017.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower girls to empower their community!
Learn more at www.aumfoundationusa.org and sign up for newsletter here!
How did it start?
The Aum Foundation began in 2016 with the creation of the Pathway 2 Success (P2S), which has become Aum’s flagship mentoring program. Each year, Aum Foundation welcomes a cohort of high-potential but at-risk, under-resourced high school girls in Decatur, Huntsville, Madison, and Selma, AL to participate in a six-pillared program that will equip them to become confident, economically independent, college-ready leaders.
P2S includes a year-long, one-on-one mentor for each girl, 10 life skills classes, personalized ACT tutoring, job shadowing, a TI-84 calculator, and, upon graduation from the program, a $1,500 scholarship and brand new laptop computer.
Aum’s goal is that each girl leaves the program with an educational and career plan and the skills to achieve it. They also become a lifelong part of the Aum community and network, with access to support and encouragement, and, hopefully, they return to give back themselves.
What's next?
In the 2023-2024 school year, Aum Foundation will expand to include three Pathways Programs for females in our focus areas!
NEW! Pathway 2 Opportunity (P2O) is an introduction to a prosperity mindset for girls during their junior year of high school. This program is aimed at introducing new mindsets, exploring career opportunities, and building self esteem in young women as they prepare for the next step in their education.
Pathway 2 Success remains unchanged, but continues to expand its reach across the state with an estimated 50+ active students in the 2023-2024 school year.
NEW! Pathway 2 Empowerment (P2E) allows graduates of P2S to maintain their mentor relationship through the first year of higher education. We know the transition from high school to college can be difficult, so we encourage P2S graduates to keep communication lines open with mentors and Aum staff.
Our vision is that each year of the Pathways Program builds upon the previous year, ultimately delivering Aum alumni to a place of financial independence and social responsibility.
Give me the numbers!
100% = Percentage of P2S girls who graduate from high school
99% = Percentage of mentees who attend college or higher education
$4,000 = Amount spent per girl to get her through the program (not including staff and other operating expenses)
1 girl = Personalized ACT tutoring, 25+ hours of 1-on-1 mentoring, 10 life skills classes, 1 TI-84 calculator, 1 laptop, $1,500 scholarship, job shadowing and internship opportunities, access to the Aum network during college and after for ongoing encouragement and support
21% = Average ACT score increase for P2S mentees (largest gain was 43%!)
Higher ACT scores = more scholarships from more schools for larger amounts
The 2021–2022 P2S class earned over $1 million in college scholarships
100% = Average self-esteem score increase from the beginning of the program year to graduation (Aum uses the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale)
Upon completion of higher education, an Aum graduate's earning potential will increase 253% above her family's income when she entered the program.