The Empowerment Pipeline is a student created and student run program designed to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by empowering high school youth to direct their own paths towards higher education and improving their social mobility.  The Empowerment Pipeline was established in 2009 by members of Loyola’s Black Cultural Center and Latin American Student Organization to address issues of educational disparity and lack of access to higher education for underrepresented students.  This program connects underrepresented high school students with Loyola's undergraduates who facilitate workshops focused on personal identity development, college readiness, and community building.  Through participation in the workshops, teambuilding, and an on-campus shadow day, high school students are encouraged to resist and challenge the school-to-prison pipeline system individually and as a community.

This program allows undergraduate Loyolans to build personal and mentoring relationships with their high school mentees by cultivating a safe and supportive environment.  In this environment the high school students envision their own college experience and share personal journeys and narratives while preparing their visions and goals for their futures.

For more information about the school-to-prison pipeline please take a look at the following resources:
 

• http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/08/school_to_prison.html

• http://naacpldf.org/

• http://www.aclu.org/racial-justice/what-school-prison-pipeline

• http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/no-child-left-behind/dismantling-the-school-to-pris.html

• http://www.aclu.org/racial-justice/school-prison-pipeline-talking-points

• http://www.chicagoyouthjustice.com/Project_NIA_home_page.html