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• The Gift of Opportunity •
November 2016 |
| | When you imagine a child who is involved with the juvenile justice or foster care systems, who do you envision? As many of our youth know all too well, the stereotypes people reduce them to are dangerously narrow. Once a youth enters the system, his or her perceived identity becomes synonymous with criminal, difficult, damaged, or unwanted. When we pull back the curtains on justice-involved and foster care youth, we often find histories of poverty, violence, food and housing instability, and unmet mental health needs.
However, when we provide avenues for these youth to use their voice, they have an opportunity to change their narrative. From what is often the worst moments of their lives, they show us unexpected stories of strength, resiliency, and hope.
To more fully understand the youth we serve, their stories, their identities, and their aspirations, we visited youth housed in three units of the Juvenile Justice Center in San Francisco and asked them to share who they are and who they are not. The goal of this project was to allow a space for youth to challenge misconceptions about who they are perceived to be.
The #EmpowerYouthNow campaign highlights the fullness of our youth. We are all more than our mistakes, our pasts, and the families and neighborhoods we come from. Potential does not act alone – it must be met with resources and opportunities in order to flourish. Your contribution this holiday season provides opportunities for our youth to succeed and thrive.
At City Youth Now, we believe our youth are more than what meets the eye, and are committed to empowering them to create their own identities. Through our services and programs that offer educational, employment, and wellness opportunities, we envision a world where circumstance does not dictate destiny.
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| | | “The word 'never' is not a part of my vocabulary. The only restrictions to overcome in this world are the ones we place on ourselves. The limits we see are a false reality of what we believe to be possible. We stand as our own obstacle, believing that we can never achieve our dreams simply because they're 'not reasonable.' But the reality is that we create our own definition of reasonable. This is why I will not let anyone but myself define or shape what I can accomplish or become, because anything is possible!”
Francesca is a graduating Senior in high school, and is looking forward to applying for college at University of Washington, and University of Oregon. City Youth Now helped to pay for her gorgeous senior portraits, her cap and gown, and graduation announcements. |
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“I am not incapable of amending my mistakes to continue in life’s journey; instead I am a dreamer, believer and achiever of my present generation; thus, a humble future Medical Doctor.”
Jenny is our 2015 Joan Coyne scholarship winner who is currently studying abroad in Spain. She thanks City Youth Now for helping her to regain confidence in her ability to succeed.
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| | “I am currently a chemistry major...I spend most of my time involving myself in clubs like BSU (Black Student Union). We volunteer a lot at Boys and Girls Club in the town to get other black students/ minorities motivated to come to college. Every once and a while when I have free time on a Friday night, I also volunteer my time to the local high school students who are foster children as well. When I came to college I was set up with numerous opportunities through the guardian scholars program and they have made my transition seamlessly easy. I hope with my success in a chemistry degree I can continue on to medical school to become an anesthesiologist. Financially, all my worries are covered through my financial aid and scholarship I have received in the past. I am grateful to be having this experience I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. I am a Bobcat and a future UC graduate!”
Celeste is a 2016 Ticket to Dream Scholarship winner. She is currently a Pre-Med student at UC Merced and we could not be more proud of her accomplishments.
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| | Looking for an easy way to make a difference? Shop at Smile.Amazon.com!
When you click the button below, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to City Youth Now.
Please share this link with your friends and businesses while ordering for the holidays or any time during the year!
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| | | Meet our new Executive Director, Charles Mason
Charles previously founded and served as CEO of Ubuntu Green a Sacramento-based non-profit that focused on addressing environmental and social justice, as well inspiring youth and community leadership and engagement. Charles previously worked for AARP in CA and Washington, DC as a policy advocate focusing on transportation, housing and environmental issues.
Charles has previously working on Capital Hill in the offices of Senator Barbara Boxer, and Congressman Pete Visclosky. He has advocated for the social equity, transportation justice, and civil rights through work with Urban Habitat, the Surface Transportation Policy Project, and the NAACP. In addition he opened and directed the government affairs office in Washington, D.C. of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, supporting funding and educational and professional opportunities for students attending historically black universities. He brings considerable development, board, community engagement, and leadership experience to our team.
Charles received B.A. in Political Science from California State University: Long Beach and a Masters in Public Policy and Administration from the California State University Sacramento, Graduate School of Public Policy and Administration. Charles also attended the George Washington University, Graduate School of Political Management, Howard University, and University of Maryland, College Park. Mr. Mason is the father of two lovely children, Miles and Yemaya. He is active in running, yoga, gardening, reading, cycling, kayaking, and writing.
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| | | Youth Partnering for Education and Employment Program (YPEE) Our Youth Partnering for Education and Employment (YPEE) program integrates our educational support and vocational training services to create a continuum of activities and resources that prepare youth for employment and higher education.
Within this program, we provide: - Paid internships at local organizations
- Interview skill & resume development
- Educational & career goal planning
- College application guidance
- College tours & workshops
- Interview clothes & work uniforms
- Graduation expenses
- Funding for textbooks & school fees
- School supplies & backpacks
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| | Thanksgiving Care PackagesCity Youth Now sent Thanksgiving care packages to our 2016 scholarship winners. During this time of year, it is especially important to let our young people know how much we support them. It can be a difficult time of year for first year college students and receiving a care package can make a huge difference.
We would like to give a huge "Thank You" to Susan Mallan at Play Studios for donating a care package to one of our amazing scholarship youth! |
| | Updates from the Board of Directors
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| Welcome back, David Young!
After nearly a year of providing exceptional guidance and leadership as Interim Executive Director of City Youth Now, we would like to extend a warm welcome back to the Board of Directors! Although the CYN staff is sad to see David go, we are thrilled that he will be staying on as a Board member and continuing to help build an outstanding organization.
As Interim Executive Director, David was an amazing asset in growing the organization and securing a number of valuable resources. A few of these included implementing Salesforce and SageSurfer platforms, and hiring many new staff members.
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| | Farewell and Thank You to Adriene Roche and Martina Sola
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Dedicated. Enthusiastic. Dynamic.
You would be hard pressed to describe Adriene Roche without using one of those three words. Her term as President of the Board has been marked by many successes including her incredibly innate ability to inspire others to get involved.
Adriene’s leadership has been instrumental in the growth and development of the Board of Directors, including recruitment of new members, organizing retreats and committees, improving financial reporting, and expanding community awareness and engagement. The Board is truly grateful for the unparalleled energy, enthusiasm and passion that Adriene brought to City Youth Now.
Adriene has been a key driver of the tremendous growth City Youth Now has experienced and her commitment to the organization has made a difference in the lives of many San Francisco foster care and juvenile justice youths. As one Board member said, “Every youth that has passed through our doors has directly benefited from your work.” In truth, we’ve all benefited from her work. Adriene is a lifelong advocate and community builder who will continue to give back. |
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We would like to thank Martina Sola Heneghan for her dedicated service to the City Youth Now Board of Directors, as she transitions to focus more on her family. Martina has served us energetically with her “We Can Do Anything!” spirit, and as a co-chair of our annual Gala. Martina met her husband Oisin, the nephew of City Youth Now founding family member Joan Coyne, at her first City Youth Now Gala and they were engaged a year later on the eve of the Gala.
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| | | | Spread holiday cheer to our scholars! We are collecting items to send holiday care packages to our current scholarship winners. You can contribute items such as:
- Gift cards (Target, Marshalls, Safeway, etc.)
- Non-perishable foods and snacks
- Desk supplies
- Headphones
- Reusable water bottles
- Personal hygiene products
- Laundry supplies
- Seasonal-themed gifts
- And other college-appropriate items!
We welcome you to drop off or send donations to our office location at 375 Woodside Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127 or send us a check donation with “care package” written in the memo. Thank you! |
| | Basketball Program at the Juvenile Justice Center After several years of success and growth, the JJC and CYN are expanding the basketball program for current JJC youth! The new program is designed to boost morale, empower youth, and promote positive community building with local role models.
Our next game will be held on Friday, December 9th against USF Athletics coaches and administrators. On Friday, January 13th the JJC will play the SF Fire Department.
We encourage other basketball teams to reach out and schedule a future game! More dates will be announced soon.
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| | Coming Soon: City Youth Now Scholarship Applications Our annual scholarship applications will be available online soon! Deadlines will be announced in early 2017. If you are interested in donating towards any of the scholarship funds, please reach out. The following awards will be available: - The Sari Wade Scholarship is a $1500 award for college expenses for a foster care youth.
- The Jesse Williams III Scholarship is a $1500 award for college expenses for a current or former juvenile probation youth.
- The Joan Coyne Memorial Scholarship is a $3000 award, is presented to youth from either the probation or foster care system.
- The Ticket to Dream Foundation Scholarship is a $3000, presented to youth who are or previously were wards of the foster care system.
- The Greg Suhr Scholarship is a $2500 award presented per year for four years to one foster youth or probation youth (must maintain a 2.5 GPA or above).
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