A Better Chance Strath Haven

 Over Two Generations of Building Society's Leaders

For 50 years, A Better Chance Strath Haven has placed high-performing students of color into the nation's leadership pipeline through incrased access to an equitable education. Since 1975, A Better Chance Strath Haven has worked with several community partners in the Swarthmore-Wallingford-Media area to become the preeminent resource for identifying, recruiting, and developing leaders among underrepresented young people of color.  We select, prepare, place and support high-performing middle and high school students of color in a rigorous college preparatory and leadership development program.

Our scholars board in a Co-ed house with a Resident Director and two tutors.  The house, a beautiful 4112 square foot single family home - nestled between Swarthmore College's campus and Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, is a generous 50 year below market value rental from SPC, as a show of their contribution and dedication to our mission and shared values.  This setting allows our scholars to have a boarding school experience in a 'home away from home'-like setting. A cook arrives onsite daily, to prepare a homecooked meal, so that each weekday at 6pm, everyone can enjoy a family meal together, giving the resident director(s) and tutors to gauge the spirits  and successes of each student daily, and provide individual care and attention as needed. 

Our family atmosphere and daily interactions with members of the Swarthmore-Wallingford-Media community through community volunteerism, yields an inspiring outcome.  Our scholars experience first hand, the impact of community involvement, and see that mutual respect and care for community members combined with consistent, intentional, and uplifting interactions with teens, adults, and educators, no matter their skin color, age, or background.