Son of a Saint began its partnership with Chevron in 2019, when the organization was awarded its first grant. During this grant period, Son of a Saint, like many nonprofits globally, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chevron was one of the first funding partners to step up and allow Son of a Saint to redistribute grant funding so that the money could be used in direct support of the organization’s mentees and families. Chevron also provided additional support of $20,000 in gas cards that were distributed to the mentees’ families. Many of the caregivers who received this support were essential workers who needed additional support for basic needs. Since the inception of our partnership, Chevron has invested more than $185,000 in Son of a Saint’s mission and mentees.
Chevron has been a key supporter of Son of a Saint’s Robotics and ACT readiness and registration programs for several years. On National STEM Day in 2021, Chevron employees came to Son of a Saint to give an impactful robotics demonstration and conduct a career talk to omentees enrolled in robotics programming. In February 2024, members of the Chevron Black Employee Network (BEN) came to Son of a Saint’s headquarters to present for Black History Month, specifically highlighting Black leaders in STEM. BEN employees also engaged with mentees through group activities focused on robotics and structural engineering.
Briefly describe the mission and objectives of your organization.
According to data from the 2023 US News & World Report’s Best State Rankings, in education Louisiana is ranked 46th of 51 in the nation for K-12 public school achievement (including Washington D.C.) and 50th overall for STEM education. Through social investment funding, Chevron aims to improve and expand access to quality hands-on STEM education for at-risk youth driving workforce and post-secondary readiness.
What motivated your organization to engage in a partnership with Son of a Saint?
Chevron's partnership with Son of a Saint was initially motivated by a desire to provide support during the 2020 pandemic. Chevron began by supplying gas cards to Son of a Saint for distribution, a gesture of aid during a challenging time. This initial act of support blossomed into a more extensive collaboration focusing on STEM education. Chevron has since provided funding for STEM summer camps, robotics team support, and ACT workshops. This partnership has evolved from a response to an immediate crisis to a sustained effort to address the ongoing educational crisis.
How does your partnership with Son of a Saint align with the core values and goals of your organization?
Chevron's partnership with Son of a Saint aligns seamlessly with our core values and overarching goals, particularly our commitment to improving and expanding access to quality hands-on STEM education. By providing funding for the robotics team, ACT workshops, and summer STEM camps, we are actively driving workforce and post-secondary readiness among these young individuals. These initiatives are a direct reflection of Chevron's focus on fostering educational opportunities that prepare the next generation for the challenges of the future. Through this partnership, we are not only investing in the immediate educational needs of these youths but also in their long-term potential to contribute meaningfully to the workforce and society.
What has been the most unique or impactful component of your organization’s partnership with Son of a Saint?
The most unique and impactful component of Chevron's partnership with Son of a Saint has been the active employee engagement, particularly through our employee network, BEN (Black Employee Network). During Black History Month, BEN hosted a special STEM session where they highlighted famous Black scientists, engaged with the mentees in a structure-building STEM activity, and showcased Pascagoula's robotic dog. This event was significant as it allowed Chevron employees to directly interact with the mentees, fostering a sense of connection and mentorship. Moreover, the mentees had the opportunity to learn about diverse figures in the field of science while also seeing diverse employees who work within Chevron. This not only provided them with educational enrichment but also with inspiring role models, emphasizing the importance of diversity and representation in STEM fields.
Son of a Saint thanks Chevron and the Chevron Black Employee Network for the continued partnership, generosity, and shared success.