by April | Career Development, Community
HEART attended the 5th Annual Youth of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow Summit conducted by Reach One Teach One, Inc.
ROTO youth summits are nothing short of amazing! With over 100 youth gathered together at one time – learning, sharing and being challenged to think out of the box and push beyond status quo – The goal is to reach as many youth as we can, as fast as we can. HEART member Isaiah Coleman stated “The accounts by the speakers were very personal and involving, I really felt their testimonies”
Summits create an environment for youth to come together and develop positive relationships with their peers, gain insight to professional and academic possibilities, and to build a strong network. These events are healthy, safe and positive recreational opportunities. Youth will leave with a sense of confidence, a forward-thinking frame of mind and new connects with peers, professionals, schools, employers and mentors; that they may have never connected with before.
Reach One Teach One (ROTO) is a non-profit, community-based organization that has been dedicated to reducing gang and community violence, fostering unity, and improving the quality of communities in San Diego since 2005. This effort is implemented through the deployment of educational and mentoring programs that create opportunities and positive environments for at-risk and gang involved youth. To quote Dallas Edge (HEART member) “the summit provided information on many issues of today, education wise and law wise they also provided info on how you can avoid them.”
It is Reach One Teach One’s mission to reduce violence, promote unity, and improve the quality of life in our communities; to encourage education and assist in creating economic opportunities for youth and young adults. For more on Reach One Teach One visit their site at http://www.rotosd.org/
by April | Community, Team Building
The Blue Heart Foundation in partnership with the Old Globe Theater provided a night out for the youth and families from the HEART mentoring program. HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) is a locally based mentoring program that is focused on the empowerment and education of under-served youth. Our program is based on nine (9) core competencies which fall under three categories: 1) Abilities, 2) Applications, and 3) Character.
One piece of our program is to expose youth to events they may not normally have the opportunity to see and in the instance we viewed the Tony Award winning play “The White Snake”. The White Snake is a visionary staging of a classic Chinese fable, a gentle serpent transforms into a beautiful woman. She falls in love with a dashing young man and decides to stay human forever, until a wicked monk discovers her true identity and vows to destroy her. The play was amazing and left everyone with huge smiles afterward… I was thrilled that each and every young man had a great time. The White Snake was a bit different than what we’re used to but isn’t life about going outside of the box? Isaiah Coleman (HEART Participant) stated “The actors were so involved; they developed the characters and drew us in. I could tell they worked hard and I definitely enjoyed the show.”
We believe culturally enriching field trips matter. They produce significant benefits for students on a variety of educational outcomes that schools and communities care about. The effects of field trips to see live theater demonstrates that seeing plays is an effective way to teach academic content; increases our youth’s tolerance by providing exposure to a broader, more diverse world; and improves the ability of students to recognize what other people are thinking or feeling. These are significant benefits for students on specific educational outcomes that schools pursue and communities respect. Especially when considered alongside our community service efforts. Not all learning occurs most effectively within the walls of a school building. Going on enriching field trips to cultural institutions makes effective use of all of a community’s resources for teaching children. We even got photo bombed by Ben Vereen!!!
Lastly, you can never know what may impact a child’s life. As Demetria Hill (Parent) exclaimed “My sons, Damontae and Demeiko really enjoyed their experience at the Old Globe Theatre, watching the play White Snake. They came home excited to tell me about what they learned about performing arts and asian culture; they really enjoyed themselves. As a parent, allowing your children to experience opportunities which they might not have normally been exposed to is invaluable. A big “thank you” to The Blue Heart Foundation and Old Globe Theater for allowing young people the opportunity to explore San Diego’s rich history in theater and the performing arts.”
by April | nonprofit business
The Blue Heart Foundation is now a 501(c)3 Tax Exempt organization. This distinction will allow us to further assist under-served youth in attaining their goals as they pursue the dream of attending and graduating from a four year university. Partner with us as we work to make these young men’s dreams become a reality by donating via paypal or send a check payable to:
The Blue Heart Foundation – 10824 Scripps Ranch Blvd. #308 – San Diego, CA 92131
Download our 501(c)3 Tax Exempt letter here The Blue Heart Foundation 501(c)3
by April | Education, Uncategorized
Today we had a visit from Wendy Alem’an has asked to present a special program called SWAG (Student with Academic Goals). Students interested in pursuing college will have access to SAT preparation and an opportunity to learn more about college during this two week summer program.
SWAG: Students With Academic Goals. SAT Prep Academy, Weekdays June 16-July 2. SWAG provides a FREE, intensive SAT test preparation 
program for San Diego area 9th and 10th grade students (going in to 10th and 11th grade over the summer.) Accepted students must attend every weekday June 16-July 2, plus have opportunities for field trips to UC San Diego, San Diego State University and Pt. Loma Nazarene University. Lunch will be provided daily. Daily attendance is MANDATORY! The application forms for SWAG 1 (for new students) are posted below and will be due April 10. Acceptance is not guaranteed; we have limited spots. Applicants will be notified after April 10 regarding whether or not they are accepted. The essay prompt is at the bottom left of the application page. SWAG 2 applications (for returning students) must be requested directly from Karla Whitaker.
She will be reviewing applications on this opportunity, SWAG is available at free of charge for low-income students. The program is co-sponsored with UCSD, Cal-Soap, and San Diego State University.
We also had a full SAT Prep Test administered by Karla Whitaker from CAL Soap. Cal-SOAP test preparation programs provide students with test-taking strategies and encourage students to take all their college entrance exams in a timely manner.
SAT/ACT Preparation Workshops for juniors are offered in the spring and emphasize test-taking strategies. Workshops are also offered in Sweetwater and San Diego Unified Districts; check the with Karla for specific events.
Contact Karla Whitaker at kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu or 858-569-1866 ext. 216 for more information.
by April | Education, Uncategorized
Always keeping college in front of us we attended the ACCESSING SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE workshop conducted at the Jackie Robinson YMCA – Multipurpose Room.
There we learned:
- How to apply for scholarships & financial aid for college
- Information on A-G requirements for college
- How to fill out your college application
- Individual help on your 2015-16 FAFSA or CA Dream App
We also learned a few of the benefits of college such as:
As you take on college work and participate in college life, you’ll encounter new ideas and challenges. Along the way, you learn:
- Build knowledge, skills and brainpower
- Discover new passions
- Follow and satisfy your curiosity
- Learn more about yourself
- Bond with new friends
- Prepare for a future in which you’re better equipped to give back
Whatever your destination, college can help you get there — even if you don’t know where “there” is yet. Whether you’ve mapped out a long-term plan or you see new possibilities every day, college can help you become your future self.
Summits create an environment for youth to come together and develop positive relationships with their peers, gain insight to professional and academic possibilities, and to build a strong network. These events are healthy, safe and positive recreational opportunities. Youth will leave with a sense of confidence, a forward-thinking frame of mind and new connects with peers, professionals, schools, employers and mentors; that they may have never connected with before.
