Mission
MISSION GRADUATES (THE ORGANIZATION") IS A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT BENEFIT ORGANIZATION THAT EMPOWERS YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE PATH TO HIGHER EDUCATION, EQUIPPING THEM FOR FULFILLING CAREERS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN GENERATIONS. FOUNDED IN 1972, INITIALLY CALLED ST. JOHN'S EDUCATIONAL THRESHOLD CENTER, MISSION GRADUATES WAS FOUNDED BY A ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MEMBER AS A TUTORING PROGRAM FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCE AN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAP. THREE DECADES LATER, THE ORGANIZATION CLARIFIED THEIR COMMITMENT TO GETTING MORE YOUTH INTO COLLEGE AS A MEANS TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC EQUITY FOR PRIMARILY LATINO AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES BUT COMMITTED TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED BY THE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY BLACK, FILIPINO, AND ARAB FAMILIES.