SIMON SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2022
SIMON YOUTH FOUNDATION CREATING BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIG DREAMS
EDUCATOR STORIES/CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAM FOCUS To enable Simon Youth Academy educators to best reach and support their students, SYF invests in ongoing professional development and continuing education credits for Simon Youth Academy educators, enabling them to grow and thrive professionally. In 2022, SYF invested over $103K in capacity building for 500 Academy educators; it has invested $1.2M into the program since its inception in 2006. Additionally, the annual SYF National Educator Conference (SYF NEC) is hosted for Academy educators to participate in workshops from national and content experts and their Academy peers. In 2022, this also included focus on self-care resources for teachers who have selflessly navigated the delivery of meaningful education and connection with students for the past two years of the pandemic. A highlight of the SYF NEC is the naming of the SYF Administrator and Teacher of the Year, which includes stipends to pursue personal or professional development opportunities. SYF celebrates how its graduates and educators are transforming the workforce, economy, and communities in which they live for generations to come. Thanks to the generous support of Simon and its employees, as well as partners like the Indiana Department of Education and SYF’s National Sponsors, SYF will seek out partnerships with credentialing organizations, national and local employers, and education organizations to expand and enhance its mission. Learn more or donate at syf.org .
In 1998, Simon employees founded Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) to give back to the community through its most important assets: educated students by meeting at-risk youth where they were – in the mall instead of in school. Since then, SYF has profoundly impacted more than 26K students and families through its scholarships, experiential learning programs, and capacity building grants for teachers and students at 40 Simon Youth Academies in 16 states. Since 1998, SYF has established a network of Academies across the country in partnership with 29 local school districts and Simon Malls to ensure that at-risk students who come from low- and moderate-income families earn their high school diploma. To encourage post-secondary education and remove financial barriers, SYF provides scholarships to Academy graduates, 63% of whom identify as a person of color. These students do not lack academic promise or drive; indeed, they must choose to attend an Academy. Instead, personal challenges and circumstances, such as economically supporting their families or managing chronic illness, prevent them from succeeding in a traditional high school setting. By providing them with the personalized support they need and deserve – each graduate has strengthened their local community by earning a high school diploma and graduating with the skills they need to take their next step, whether that be enrollment in post-secondary education, employment, or enlistment – SYF is creating a pipeline of talent. Through the 2022 annual Employee Contribution Campaign, Simon Corporate and Field employees donated ~$571K to SYF. In addition, customers contributed ~$119K through our 235 Wishing Well and Fountains located throughout our 210 properties.
26,126 SYF Total Graduates Since Inception
40 SYF Academies
36K+ SF Dedicated Square Feet in Malls
$570K+ SYF Donations from Simon Employees in 2022
$14.3M+ Invested in Simon Youth Foundation Since 1998
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COMMUNITIES
CUSTOMERS
CREATING SUSTAINABLE CENTERS
ENVIRONMENT
EMPLOYEES
APPENDIX
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