A Southwest Austin nonprofit recently launched a pilot program to help incoming ninth-graders at Akins and Travis high schools to transition from middle school to high school.

In its first year, the River City Youth Foundation’s Everything Counts program will provide tools and services to 25 students, Executive Director and founder Mona Gonzalez said. The initiative will include group guidance sessions as well as pairing students with mentors, Gonzalez said. One of the goals of the program is to help ninth-graders set the foundation for pursuing a college degree, Gonzalez said. Students will go on field trips to colleges so they can see students who made it past high school, she said.

RCYF was founded 25 years ago, Gonzalez said.

“One thing about young people that doesn’t change over time is the need for positive guidance that can help them … get the education they need,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve been concerned for a long time that young people drop out of high school as soon as they turn 16, which often happens in the ninth grade.”

RCYF is also seeking volunteers to mentor and be role models for incoming ninth-graders, Gonzalez said.

After the pilot program, RCYF plans to continue to seek funding. AT&T Aspire is funding the pilot program.