John Daly

Santa Barbara, CA (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

The Key Class

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Location: Santa Barbara
Industry: Education
Year Founded: 2010
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Business Stage: Growth (not profitable)
Entity Type: Limited Liability Company
Description: The Key Class is an LLC that is in process of getting non-profit status. Since 2010, The Key Class has been reaching out to youth in every area of Santa Barbara – from Teen Court and Probation, the Workforce Investment Board and United Way’s Fun in the Sun to Partners in Education’s Intern program and other organizations that connect with teens. The Key Class is a program that teaches students the skills that they need for successfully applying, interviewing and securing jobs. It helps them to build confidence and trust and gives them the tools to communicate appropriately and succeed in today’s society. The values it teaches are critical to the health of the Santa Barbara community and the well-being of local children and their families. Since 2012, through a relationship with Partners in Education we’ve offered The Key Class to a small number of students at all four of our high schools. We’ve taught more than 2,500 students in that time. But, something miraculous happened right after July 4, 2014. We received word from Dr. David Cash, Superintendent of the Santa Barbara Unified School District, that The Key Class will be part of the school district’s educational program for all students grades 9-12! This ensures that all our high school students will have the opportunity to be prepared for college, career and life. According to Dr. Cash, “We have found The Key Class to provide a break-through opportunity for students to learn many life skills that we simply have not had the expertise or curriculum to deliver.” The Next Hurdle Having the school district’s acceptance and support was our first major hurdle. But, we have another hurtle. The next one is to win the financial support of the business and social community of Santa Barbara. In order to make this happen, The Key Class, a new 501 3(c) in process, is dependent upon sponsorships and gifts. The cost to run this program per high school for the administration and teachers required is $144,000. The school board is unable to allocate money to this needed program because, as we all know, funds have been cut so drastically. But, with this program, we will be able to reach more than 6,000 students per year! The Key Class is making a difference in the lives of thousands of young people. It is giving students the tools to attain productive work as well as salvaging at-risk teens that otherwise might have been lost to our community. . Our ultimate goal is to take this program nationwide to every school in the United States.