The GIS Scholars is a program consisting of city youth in the age group of 15-21. Essentially we are using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to identify issues in the community in an effort to find solutions. Over the last 4 years our focus has been on acquiring and managing data related to housing and neighborhood conditions, crime analysis, travel and mobility, and black owned businesses in the greater Rochester area. Paying our Scholars doesn’t end at providing compensation to youth in the community. Allowing young people to earn money can improve the financial well-being of an entire family, thus actively reducing poverty in our community. Enabling city youth to provide themselves with their own food, clothing, school supplies, etc. is alleviating pressure for parents or single parents to stretch their pennies far beyond their financial means to meet their child’s basic needs and necessities. Further, youth working on this initiative now will be able to ensure progress in the future.