Jahziah’s Going to College!
When we talk about breaking the cycle of poverty, we acknowledge the axioms believed by people outside of our community. We are often met with solutions that believe in the system–the same system Bayview is actively neglected by. Our programs are created to work around the traditional path for youth merging into society. Their vulnerability to drugs, poverty, and violence obstructs any kind of smooth journey to adulthood. To express the level of accomplishment that getting into college is, we must be plain spoken about the conditions our kids live in. Jahziah and Aaron’s acceptance into college is one of the most profound steps towards changing these conditions and attaining real poverty alleviation.
There is little college advocacy in this neighborhood. About 27% of Bayview residents did not complete high school compared to 12% in all of San Francisco. Yet, when the news of Jahziah’s acceptance reached the community, an outpour of support followed. With community help, and through a shift in perspective in a neighborhood that faces cyclical distress, Jahziah was uplifted. The Bayview community exceeded the $5,000 goal and raised $5,769 for Jahziah’s first semester at Sacramento State.
We handed him his check last week surrounded by his family and community. Jahziah assured donors that he was going to make them proud, “I just wanna appreciate everyone that donated. Your money isn’t going to waste. I’m gonna do my thing.”
We are seeing that gradually, the community is reinforcing its connection with itself by encouraging youth like Jahziah to explore a life outside of Bayview. We feel the community's love during instances like these.
Jahziah is a first generation student who joined City of Dreams in elementary school. His next-door proximity to the site granted him and his family closer access to all-things City of Dreams including Super Saturdays, academic support, gardening, and group mentorship. Jahziah transitioned into the Ground Zero Youth Program with Macio, our Ground Zero facilitator, at the start of his teenage years. With Macio’s support, Jahziah went from struggling to pass his classes to earning a 3.0 GPA and eventually his first 4.0 GPA during senior year! Today, Jahziah has completed his first week of college at Sacramento State University and even landed a job at the Arden Fair Mall’s Footlocker! Thank you to Angela, a Foot Locker representative, who reached out to a City of Dreams’ staff member to onboard Jahziah at her home store.
The statistics will change because of these youth who are making it out. Their growing aspirations for life without poverty will change the dynamic of this neighborhood. Congrats Jahziah!
