Thread
Founder and Origins:
Sarah Hemminger founded Thread in Baltimore after witnessing her husband's transformation from a failing student to Naval Academy graduate, thanks to the dedicated support of caring teachers. A biomedical engineer by training, Hemminger applies analytical rigor to social problems, emphasizing personal relationships as the missing link in fighting youth isolation and poverty.
Mission and Unique Approach:
Thread provides a transformative "family-like" support system to struggling high school students, committing an unprecedented 10 years of intensive, unconditional, and personalized support. Each student receives care from a "Thread Family"—a small team of consistent volunteers who handle everything from daily logistics to crisis intervention, creating a resilient social safety net.
Impact:
Thread has shown remarkable success with the hardest-to-reach youth—students entering the program with average GPAs below 1.0 graduate at rates ten times higher than their peers. About 69% graduate high school on time (compared to a 6% norm), and nearly as many go on to complete post-secondary education or training. Ongoing rigorous evaluations (including a Randomized Control Trial by Notre Dame) aim to validate these outcomes further.
Recognition and Positioning:
Thread and Hemminger have gained recognition through prestigious fellowships from Echoing Green, Ashoka, and Open Society, positioning them prominently within the social innovation ecosystem. The organization is seen by major philanthropic funders, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Abell Foundation, as a standout model for tackling poverty through intensive personal relationships rather than standard interventions.
Broader Potential and Challenges:
Thread’s greatest innovation—and its biggest challenge—is its deeply intensive approach, raising questions about scalability. Still, over 30 cities have already expressed interest in replicating the model, drawn to its evidence-backed, relationship-driven success. As Thread continues to grow, it presents a compelling opportunity for funders looking to invest in approaches that fundamentally change social mobility dynamics, especially in divided and disconnected communities.