Pros
Great opportunities for undeserved adolescents who can navigate the cultural insensitives to benefit from the trips.
Cons
This organization has a paternalistic view of the adolescents it serves. It uses a deficient based approach to working with students of color, pushing students to neglect instead of embracing their communities strengths. Ideally, Summer Search works towards getting children way from their communities, peers and family members. For this reason, most of the employees at summer search do not reflect the communities they serve. They have a difficult time retaining people of color and in general most program associates. This is a terrible organization for both high need students (as they cheery pick the top performing students that would go to college anyways- they have a hard time retaining men of color - black and latino) and staff. Do not waste your time trying to make a difference with this organization. They will expect you to drink the cool aid (as it is referred to among the leadership) to work here.