On June 6th, 2014 – The Urban League of San Diego County celebrated its 24th Annual Golden Pyramid Scholars Program on Saturday, June 14th, 2014. The event took place at San Diego Concourse, Golden Hall. The program was designed to identify, recruit, nurture and support students who are striving to achieve academic and economic excellence. The communities’ goal is to ensure that its future parents, politicians, scientists, carpenters, doctors, and professors are identified early and supported continuously in their quest to achieve excellence.
Members of HEART had the opportunity to not only receive awards for academic excellence with cumulative GPA’s of 3.0 and above. These dedicated, service minded young men arrived as early as 7:00 AM to provide assistance in any and every way possible. Tasks given to these young men included but were not limited to award recipient registration, door assistance, ushering and event coordination as well as handing out brochures. All ten members in attendance received the highest accolades from the San Diego Urban League’s Young Professionals as Lavar Edmonds (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.) exclaimed “these young men are going to be great leaders one day.”
In partnership with several community based organizations, more than $215,000 in scholarships were presented to Golden Pyramid Scholars who represent African American and other underrepresented populations. The scholarship partners included College Bound; San Diego State University; San Ysidro Health Center; and Rudolph Johnson Scholarship Fund, Neighborhood House Association & Urban League of San Diego County. Additional thanks goes to our military personnel who volunteered their time to help with logistics and crowd management.
The Golden Pyramid Academic Scholars Awards program provided participating organizations and businesses an opportunity to connect with more than 1,300 high-achieving underrepresented youth and their families. This year’s program attracted more than 2,529 people. Participants were encouraged to enroll in one of our year-round youth programs such as Project Ready (College Readiness Programs for males and females 11-17). The Golden Pyramid Scholars Program features encouraging messages which promote academic achievement, civic responsibility and professional success. The programs emphasis on academic achievement and career success attracts aspiring, influential teens and young adults, ages 8-18 along with loyal parents/grandparents/guardians of all ages. These consumers bring a mindset perfect for marketing certain consumer brands, career opportunities and social campaigns that appeal to this trend-setting demographic.
Pictured with San Diego HBCU Alumni member Miss Shana Collins
The 16th Annual United States of America Presidential Volunteer Awards Program “ A New Birth of Freedom” took place on Friday, May 22, 2015 at the Educational Cultural Complex located at 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, 92113. The program highlighted youth as young as 11 years old and adult volunteers from throughout San Diego County for their community service contributions.
Ms. Maxine Clark presented the Seal of the President of the U.S. and a White House Congratulatory Letter from President Obama was read by Mrs. Cynthia Gilliam, Presidential Awards Director, “The purpose of hosting the Presidential Volunteer Awards Program is to acknowledge the dedication and support that many San Diegans give to their community to improve the quality of life for all. Volunteers are the driving force for many successful community clean-ups, programs and events. Many volunteers do not work for recognition. However, we find it very important to do so because everyone should be acknowledge for the positive and great work that they do. If we don’t celebrate them, who will?”
Isaiah Coleman stated, “I am proud to volunteer and serve my community. I enjoy giving back because is not only the right thing to do but I want to be a productive citizen. Us, youth usually are said to be lazy and stuck on social media and video games all day. I think given the opportunity more kids will want to become involved. The Blue Heart Foundation was recognized for serving over 1000 hrs of volunteer service. Tracy Morris founder of The Blue Heart Foundation said “I am thankful and humble to receive this recognition with so many San Diegans who are also making a positive impact in our community by volunteering. Each and ever member of our mentoring program HEART contributed to this honor.”
The Presidential Awards Program was made possible with the support and contributions of The Buffalo Soldiers, 9th & 10th Horse Calvary Association; La Diego Dance Theater, Danial Marshall; The Best Kept Secret, San Diego Chapter; Educational Cultural Complex; Dr. Anthony Beebe, Ed.D; St. Stephens’s Cathedral COGIC Mime Group, T.R.U.T.H; Lard Family; Nelicidad and Mela Pettis; Christy Figueroa Pettis; Harold J. Ballard Parent Center; Pastor Charlie and 1st Lady Maxine Clark; Pastor Kevin and 1st Lady Roberson; Mr. Michael Sanders; Waldorf School of San Diego; Principal Gary Rollins; Gompers Prep and Herbert Hoover
It was a gray drizzly Saturday morning when HEART met with our partner organization Outdoor Outreach for a day trip on the open sea. Outdoor Outreach utilizes outdoor physical experiences to provide youth with the support, relationships, resources and opportunities they need to become successful adults. Two primary drivers facilitate positive transformation in the youth we both serve: the opportunity for ongoing experiences that are safe, fun, positive and challenging, and the relationships developed with supportive adult role models.
As we took to the road all were excited and looking forward to an experience that few had previously experienced… From the start, excitement filled the air during the initial push towards the ocean. Isaiah Coleman would later say” It felt like we were Vikings, driving into the drizzling rain!” After the tour of Sweetwater Marsh wetlands preserve, we went on to the Living Coast Discovery Center.
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a natural treasure on San Diego Bay. Their nonprofit zoo and aquarium is uniquely situated on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, offering visitors an ideal setting in which to explore the amazing animals and plants that call our coastal region home. We had the opportunity to prepare the food and feed raptors including Hawks and Eagles! Jacques Morgan stated “Kayaking was an amazing and unforgettable experience for the books after that we went to an aquarium/zoo and some got to feed sea life and raptor life which was an amazing time!!!”
With a diverse collection of animal ambassadors and hands-on, interactive exhibits, the Discovery Center inspires curiosity and exploration of the living earth in guests of all ages. Through these experiences our guys garner a sense of achievement, which increases their confidence, self-esteem and resilience, and enables them to see new possibilities for their lives.
Our youth form long-term mentor relationships through these types of experiences. When youth consistently show up and are supported, it allows them to break out of the negative cycles in their lives, like drugs, gangs, poverty, abuse, and neglect, and replace them with new positive cycles
This month’s workshop was highlighted by a visit from members of Outdoor Outreach, Each year Outdoor Outreach collaborates with, and acts as a resource to community-based organizations working with at-risk youth and their families. Outdoor Outreach tailors partnerships for maximum impact, customizing outings and programs to fit the needs of each group. With our partners, we make long-term investments in each participant’s development and growth. In partnership with Outdoor Outreach we have scheduled the following upcoming activities: kayaking in May, overnight surf camp in August and a weekend in Big Bear January 2016.
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. To qualify for admission to a four-year university, students must take an SAT or ACT. It is recommended they take the test during the spring semester of 11th grade. We are currently preparing for the June 13, 2015 and worked on practice questions from the ACT and learn strategies specific to the ACT English, Math, Reading and Science sections, as well as strategies for the ACT Writing.
CALSoap works under the direction of the California Student Aid Commission, the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) has represented the educational community throughout the state since 1978. The program is operated in partnership with the University of California system, the California State University system, local non-profit agencies and public elementary and secondary school districts. For more information on CAL Soap please contact Karla Whitaker at kkwhitaker@ucsd.edu or 858-569-1866 ext. 216.
April 25, 2015 – It was chilly, early Saturday morning as HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) rose to the challenge and volunteered to walk for babies… After raising $1000, HEART also contributed throughout the day. Setting up tents, moving tables, carrying water and any other opportunities where we could lend a helping hand. As HEART Member Dallas Edge stated “Volunteering benefits the community as it shows you support it and its people”.
When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to nearly half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies
One cool moment was after helping Jack in the Box set up their tent Jack in the Box CEO Leonard Comma stopped by to take a photo op with us. I’m always amazed and inspired when the young men from HEART show up for volunteer service… After all how often do you see high school teens show up for volunteer work at 6 AM!!!
“All we have is each other and we have to constantly give back to our community, whether it’s money,time, or expertise. It’s the only way we will get better.” says HEART member Bernard Richardson…Of course after a hard days work we had lunch at Lefty’s Chicago Style Pizza because growing men have to eat.. What a Great Day! The Blue Heart Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 organization, find out how you can contribute or join us by contacting us via email at theblueheartfoundation@gmail.com
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/
Members of HEART had the opportunity to not only receive awards for academic excellence with cumulative GPA’s of 3.0 and above. These dedicated, service minded young men arrived as early as 7:00 AM to provide assistance in any and every way possible. Tasks given to these young men included but were not limited to award recipient registration, door assistance, ushering and event coordination as well as handing out brochures. All ten members in attendance received the highest accolades from the San Diego Urban League’s Young Professionals as Lavar Edmonds (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.) exclaimed “these young men are going to be great leaders one day.”
high-achieving underrepresented youth and their families. This year’s program attracted more than 2,529 people. Participants were encouraged to enroll in one of our year-round youth programs such as Project Ready (College Readiness Programs for males and females 11-17). The Golden Pyramid Scholars Program features encouraging messages which promote academic achievement, civic responsibility and professional success. The programs emphasis on academic achievement and career success attracts aspiring, influential teens and young adults, ages 8-18 along with loyal parents/grandparents/guardians of all ages. These consumers bring a mindset perfect for marketing certain consumer brands, career opportunities and social campaigns that appeal to this trend-setting demographic.
and video games all day. I think given the opportunity more kids will want to become involved. The Blue Heart Foundation was recognized for serving over 1000 hrs of volunteer service. Tracy Morris founder of The Blue Heart Foundation said “I am thankful and humble to receive this recognition with so many San Diegans who are also making a positive impact in our community by volunteering. Each and ever member of our mentoring program HEART contributed to this honor.”
