Throughout BestPrep’s 43-year history, there have been many companies that have been instrumental but none more important than Travelers. Travelers was the sixth company that began supporting BestPrep. Early on, the company was active in BestPrep’s programs and services, helping to prepare students with business, career, and financial literacy skills that inspire success in work and life.
Travelers was active in providing volunteers and board leadership over the years, but the partnership entered another level in 2003, when Travelers and BestPrep forged a relationship with Como Park Senior High School’s Academy of Finance program to strengthen the financial literacy curriculum. The partnership has since grown to include involvement in many of BestPrep’s programs, including Financial Matters, eMentors, The Stock Market Game, Minnesota Business Venture, and the Technology Integration Workshop.
In 2017, Travelers committed financial and volunteer resources to implement BestPrep’s newest program, Cloud Coach. Through the dedicated recruiting efforts of Andy Darvell, a senior director of finance at Travelers and BestPrep board member, 230 employee volunteers have served as Cloud Coach mentors with students at Como Park Senior High School, helping them to explore career opportunities and understand the importance of school and graduation as part of their career journey.
In addition, Darvell has established a program at Travelers, inviting employees at the company to volunteer at BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture, where they work with and advise students throughout the week.
“Travelers is deeply invested in its communities and has a long history of supporting nonprofits in the Twin Cities,” said Darvell. “BestPrep’s mission of preparing students for college and beyond aligns well with our work to improve academic and career success, and we’re proud to partner in this effort.”
Within the last year, a total of 275 Travelers volunteers have dedicated their time to working with BestPrep and supporting our mission to better equip Minnesota students for their futures. Thanks to the generosity of the Travelers Foundation, BestPrep has secured program and event support for more than four decades. The impact they have made on the students and teachers of St. Paul has been extraordinary. Hats off to Travelers, our March Featured Partner!