Our Programs
With The Pando Initiative, each student can thrive. Our programs help connect students with the resources they need to engage in their education and thrive in school and in life.
CORE Program
The CORE Program is at the heart of the Pando Initiative, placing Student Support Advocates in 17 Wichita, Derby and Haysville schools to work with students who are disengaged from school due to economic, social and physical factors.
Check & Connect Program
The Check & Connect program is designed to improve attendance in five Wichita elementary schools that feed into West High, because of the school’s challenging graduation rate. Funded by a United Way of the Plains Community Impact Grant since 2015, Check & Connect specifically addresses the issue of chronic absenteeism and works with the student and their family to break down the barriers keeping the student out of school.
Reality U
Reality U is an interactive financial literacy and school engagement activity teaching students about finance and the importance of good decision-making. Students imagine their life as a 26-year-old and complete an online lifestyle survey, including questions about their occupation, marital status, children and their current grade point average (GPA). This information is entered into our trademarked software program that links their answers to give each student a life scenario.
Students quickly learn that adult life can be expensive and will leave the event with a greater understanding of how their decisions made today can affect their future.
Special Projects
See what fun projects The Pando Initiative is proud to support in the community.