An education is the pathway to improving an individuals’ well-being. It is the gateway to the 21st Century’s top sought after skills; critical thinking and creativity. Education is also the proven path to societies’ future economic and social progress. For these reasons we are forging a path to bring high quality education to all, guiding individuals toward their goals, and showing them the extraordinary potential they possess and how to use it.

The cultivation of female leaders and empowering women through education produces far-reaching economic and social benefits. There is an increase in organizational effectiveness and collaboration leading to a competitive edge for corporate performance, and higher economic growth in communities paving the way for positive change. Most importantly, gender diversity ensures that the best minds, men’s and women’s alike, are brought together to undertake the challenges of the 21st Century. Educating women and girls is a task we are committed to owning because what ultimately matters is leadership that triggers broad, sustainable change for all.

More than half of all new enterprises in the U.S. are sole proprietorships called Micro Businesses. They are redefining the American workforce, job growth and the economy, contributing to the creation of over 26 million jobs, the most of any U.S. industry. Representing 92% of all U.S. businesses, Micro Businesses are quickly changing the dynamics of income, wealth creation and quality of life in America, particularly those of women and minorities, who are the largest group of Micro Business owners. At WCF we are big proponents and educators of Micro Businesses. Students will learn from successful Micro Business owners who will provide guidance on planning, negotiations, selling, business financials and competition. They will also gain access to resources and business capital. Our goal is to help students discover how to turn their passions into personal and professional independence by transforming their dreams into realities.

We believe everyone can achieve success when given positive guidance and opportunities. We work to unlock the human potential in every individual, with a focus on young girls and women in under-served communities, because they have unique power to reshape communities. Our mission is the advancement of human potential using education, creativity, community engagement and dynamic role models. The future of attaining success is shifting. Organizations will focus to “identify potential” rather than solely “managing potential.” Tomorrow’s leaders will require a rich experience repertoire, broad cognitive abilities, an exploration mindset, collaborative skills, and the ability to attract talented people. We are the catalyst to unearthing the human potential in those who will lead in the 21st Century.

The World Connections Foundation brings collaborative mentoring programs, leadership development training and learning opportunities to underserved populations. We foster student achievement and learning improvement skills that aim to instill self-confidence and self-reliance in all students, particularly those of low-income communities. Through collaboration and innovation, we work to develop academic solutions that build leaders, encourage leadership mentoring, and create sustainable economic improvements for individuals and their communities.

Statistics reveal that educational attainment results in higher economic growth and stability. A highly educated population means lower rates of unemployment, higher wages and a greater number of employment opportunities. Education expands job opportunities, and supports the kind of income mobility that is fundamental to personal and economic growth. Our approach is to support, develop and provide educational and leadership programs that catapult job, career and entrepreneurial opportunities for students entering the 21st century.

Creative and critical thinking skills are the new mandates from industries around the globe. We believe these human assets, along with collaborative abilities, need to be a vital part of the educational process. With the world’s collective data doubling every 18 months and the sum of all human knowledge available to most people through digital devises, retaining facts and figures is not a highly valued skill in today’s workplace. In fact 95% of hiring managers looking to build their 21st Century workforce agreed that creativity and critical thinking are top skills for job candidates. Using innovative learning methods and educational programs, we provide students with the means to a quicker adoption of creative and critical thinking skills, giving them a competitive edge in today’s job and career marketplaces.

Experiential learning is a process through which students develop knowledge, skills and values from hands-on experiences, reflection, and critical analysis. This process is where students try new things, get stuck, step out of their comfort zone, and try again. Studies show it is through experience that we establish lasting behavior change and develop new habits. As Professor Kolb said, “knowledge results from the combination of grasping experience and transforming it.” WCF is about innovation in learning and we are eager developers of programs that incorporate experiential learning. The documentary film “As I Rise’, created by Dr. Taffer, invites students to learn from others as they experience and reflect on the real-life challenges of three women rising from poverty to prosperity. As well, online game-based learning programs will recreate real-world tasks where students can live and evaluate a virtual experience, practice their skills, and develop plans and brainstorming strategies. Ripe with a bevy of learning benefits, experiential learning will always be a core instructional strategy on the WCF platform. Whatever our students are working to master, we are convinced that experiential learning will serve to unleash the extraordinary in all of them!