Young people living in San Francisco’s public housing communities are exposed to serious challenges that often prevent them of reaching their full potential. Gang violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and dropping out of school are all risks that these children encounter simply as a result of where they live.
Since 2004, City of Dreams has served young people between the ages of 10 and 14 who live in San Francisco’s low income housing. Guided by a bold vision to end the generational poverty cycle in the city’s most challenged neighborhoods, City of Dreams offers an innovative two-year mentorship program. Participating young people are challenged to reach their highest potential through 60+ Experiential Learning Events every year that are based on 12 life lessons. These events require participants to solve problems, overcome fears, work as a team, try new things, explore creativity, embrace support, and identify their options. Throughout, trained mentors help the kids “connect the dots” between what they encounter and the life lessons embedded in the events.
This project will directly support City of Dreams’ Events Programming, allowing the currently enrolled 87 youth and 86 mentors to participate in 60 annual Experimental Learning Events. Events include: Rock Climbing, visiting Slide Ranch Organic Farm, Sailing with Call of the Sea, Golfing with First Tee, and Camp Choice, a week-long self-esteem summer camp. As part of these events, participating children will focus with their mentors on the life lessons of trust, teamwork, responsibility/accountability, respect, hope, love without limits, integrity, gratitude, choice, self esteem, contribution, and resilience.
In 2010, City of Dreams youth and mentors will participate in 60+ Experiential Learning Events designed to shift perspectives and teach life lessons. This project will specifically support the costs of admission tickets, supplies, and sufficient food and drink for all participants.
Young people from San Francisco’s public housing communities start out with the odds stacked against them — only 1 in 4 graduates high school, many become teen parents and the leading cause of premature death is homicide. Exposure to gangs, drugs, and violence is the norm.
Steep challenges like these call for big, bold answers, and City of Dreams provides them. City of Dreams goes beyond conventional youth development programs to give kids a real chance at becoming the best they can be. Of the young people who have completed the City of Dreams program, 98% have stayed in school, 98% have avoided teen pregnancy, 96% have stayed away from gangs and violence, and 92% have stayed free of drugs and alcohol.
Through partnerships with many other organizations, City of Dreams’ volunteer mentors will bring at least 30 youth to each of the 60+ Experiential Learning Events in 2010. During these events, youth will actively engage in the activity for the day and the mentors will help “connect the dots” between the event and the lessons for the day. In order to reflect on the lessons learned, mentors will close the experiences with small group discussions about the day.
San Francisco, CA
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