Anthony Taylor | Chloe’s Dad | Park City, UT

1. What your student was like before SW – Chloe has always been a bright motivated student but was a little shy prior to southwestern experience.

2. How they’ve grown since doing SW  - Chloe has become much more outgoing, and communicative, and become a master problem solver.

3. Challenges they encountered as a parent (I.e. kid leaving for the summer etc.) and how they overcame as a parent  - I was sad when Chloe announced her independence and worried what I would do without her haha.   I was quickly able to overcome with regular communication from Chloe about how she was doing, what her challenges of the day were, and communication from several of her team leaders helped out considerably.

4. How they recommend SW to other parents/advice they’d give to other parents -  I would recommend SW to other parents who are looking for the key to moving their dependent from ‘dependent’ status to ‘independent’ status while gaining much-needed confidence and communication skills, and real-world, running a business, problem solving.

Blanca saavedra | Blanca’s mom | Ogden, UT

1. What your student was like before SW- Before the program, Blanca was more reserved kept to herself a lot more.

2. How they’ve grown since doing SW- After the program, she grew more into herself, became more confident. She’s gained a lot more life experience and grew both professionally and personally. She underwent guidance and training that has allowed her to be more outgoing and personable.

3.Challenges they encountered as a parent (I.e. kid leaving for the summer etc.) and how they overcame as a parent - Having to go long periods of time without seeing her, worrying for her safety. I knew that I had to let her go experience life and the unknown for herself and the more she did the more we adapted to not being there with her physically and letting her get to encounter those new experiences.

4.How they recommend SW to other parents/advice they’d give to other parents- I’d recommend it and would advise that they take the risk. Let them go explore and experience things for themselves and who are we to tell them it’ll be good or bad for them if they haven’t done it. Do it at least once and find out if it is or not for them, if it’s not, worst case scenario they gained experience doing it, after that they can go explore other avenues of experience and growth. Sacrifice things now in order to gain what you want in the long run.

Mary Swanson | Noah’s mom | Aikin, Minnesota

1. What your student was like before SW-Working for Southwestern Advantage has positively impacted Noah in many ways. He has always been personable, but after his first summer of selling books, I noticed how comfortable he had become in engaging others and how warm and welcoming he was towards people he was meeting for the first time.

2. How they’ve grown since doing SW-Noah also learned how to set goals for himself, make a plan for meeting those goals, and then work hard to accomplish those goals. I really appreciated how Southwestern Advantage emphasized character, and it was so encouraging to see how Noah grew in integrity and resiliency through that first summer.

The Southwestern Advantage staff, including AJ and Joel, were so supportive and encouraging to Noah, but also challenged him to step out of his comfort zone, to work hard, and to grow in the use of his natural abilities and talents.

Through his internship with Southwestern Advantage, Noah not only gained important career experiences and growth but perhaps more importantly he grew in character and life skills as well. What an amazing opportunity it was for him!

Ania Biskup | Lukasz’s Mom | Park City, UT

1. What your student was like before SW – Lukasz heard about SW from an older friend from college and all he wanted to do is to join SW to make money over the summer. I think he did not know what he was stepping into at this time. But he always likes advantages and new challenges.

2. How they’ve grown since doing SW- Thanks to SW he has learned he has much to offer, as he is very interactive, likes to be with and work with people like to talk, but now it is all coordinated and directed for his new and exiting goals to grow like a person and learn how to build new things that he is proud of.

3. Challenges they encountered as a parent (I.e. kid leaving for the summer etc.) and how they overcame as a parent  - The fact that Lukasz was leaving home for the whole summer was not hard for us from the physical point, as he has already lived away from home and always was very independent that way, but as parents, we were wondering if he has, what it takes, who his friends are going to be, would he be as dedicated as they recommend, would he stand up to these high standards? Dylan, who lead Lukasz’s first steps into SW was such a good example for him and us, that we all trusted him and were happy Lukasz will be surrendered by people like him!

4. How they recommend SW to other parents/advice they’d give to other parents -  This is the best recommendation we give to other parents, we like the people who Lukasz surrounded himself with. They have clear goals, good work ethics, grow together like a family, are honest and hardworking, and are learning how to pass difficult times to become a better version of themself. Also that they have opportunities to travel around the states and the world meeting people who want the same! It is pure joy to see Lukasz growing in this direction!

Mama Cao | Martine’s Mom | Salt Lake City, UT

1. What your student was like before SW

Before SW Martine was an outgoing kid with a lot of ambition. Sometimes that ambition would get him into trouble because of the friends he would hang out with.

2. How they’ve grown since doing SW

Southwestern helped give Martine a better sense of principles in life. A better friend group. And accountability that he needed. Seeing him go from a boy to a man in this program has been great.

3. Challenges they encountered as a parent (I.e. kid leaving for the summer etc.) and how they overcame as a parent

I was nervous to let Martine go but I knew that he was going to do it whether I liked him to or not. I’m very glad he did because I don’t want to raise a kid that is reliant on my decisions and to camp out in my basement his whole life!

Grow it.

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