Brighter Sky Foundation
~ LIGHTING A PATH FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW~
Brighter Sky Foundation
~ LIGHTING A PATH FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW~
Since 1999, Brighter Sky has contributed over $1.2 million in funding for 14 social workers and related projects in 13 schools. These social workers have improved the lives of over 8,000 students during the Brighter Sky funding period.
How We Partner with Schools
Increase Graduation Rate
Our mission is to help every teenager graduate from high school by eliminating the family and social pressures that put high school graduation in jeopardy.
Dedicated Social Worker
Brighter Sky funds an embedded social worker for each high school to create a vital safety net to the entire high school community.
How it Works
The foundation provides funds to a school district to hire a Licensed Master Social Worker or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to advocate for students in academic distress. We do this by establishing a social worker position dedicated to a particular high school.
Our Schools
Associated Projects
Young Women's Leadership Academy Robotics Team
Young Women's Leadership Academy Robotics Team
Young Women's Leadership Academy Robotics Team
Brighter Sky provided funding for the academy's Robotics team for 3 years. Pictured here, senior Sandra Villagrana was captain of the girls-only team
San Antonio Municipal Court Caseworker
Young Women's Leadership Academy Robotics Team
Young Women's Leadership Academy Robotics Team
Brighter Sky provided funding to the San Antonio Municipal Court to hire an additional caseworker for juvenile court - an essential position for fair legal representation of students.
What others are saying
Dawn Hedgepeth, LCSW, CDWF-C
"Being a part of the Brighter Sky Foundation's initial seed donation was such a wonderful opportunity. I began my social work career at Alamo Heights High School in 1998 and have never left. Working with teens and helping them overcome the many challenges of adolescence is what feeds my soul. Having a school social worker or wellness counselor at the junior school and high school level should be mandatory at every school - we are no less important than the school nurse and often are the key individual that improves attendance, decreases anxiety and depression, fosters connections and helps with mistreatment and addiction issues. The Brighter Sky Foundation's initial donation has impacted so many students and their families. I am thrilled to say that after their initial 3 year commitment, our district fully funded the position for the next 18 years. Without the generosity and foresight of Cammy Ritchey and the foundation, our district would not be caring for the "whole student" - it's our job to teach them skills of resiliency and offer support when things are tough."
Mr. Michael Brooks, LMSW
"The Brighter Sky Foundation (BSF) and their support to social workers provided me a chance of a lifetime to assist school-aged children towards academic success. I am truly honored to provide vital services for both students and their families during difficult situations. Anytime I am able to assist a student and their family members, I'm always reminded of obligation to provide the best possible service, while also empowering them towards self-determination. Thank you BSF for all that you do for social workers throughout this country. "
Dr. Linda Foster, AHHS Principal
"Social workers are a critical component of a school environment. They are the core of the emotional and mental health of the students, teachers and families. They nourish the soul and help everyone with life's challenges. As a high school principal for 24 years, our social worker was often the first person I went to when I needed insight and help in guiding our school through the realities of a school community."