This exploratory study examines the role community-based organizations have in bridging low-income students of color to postsecondary institutions. Data came from interviews with organization staff, high school students, and college students associated with three distinct community-based organizations located in a mid-size city. The findings suggest that organization staff are well-positioned in youth, academic, and community social networks. Staff become social brokers across these networks through three steps: cultivating authentic and safe relationships, lessons from students, and becoming advocates. Community-based organization staff strategically advocate for underrepresented student college enrollment and admissions by serving as social brokers between students, schools, and their communities.

这项探索性研究考察了社区组织在将低收入的有色学生连接到高等教育机构中的作用。数据来自与组织员工，高中生和与位于中型城市的三个不同的社区组织相关的大学生的访谈。调查结果表明组织人员在青年，学术和社区社交网络中处于有利位置。员工通过以下三个步骤成为这些网络中的社会经纪人：培养真实和安全的关系，学生的经验教训以及成为倡导者。基于社区的组织人员通过充当学生，学校及其社区之间的社会中介，从战略上倡导代表人数不足的学生大学入学和招生。