Urban Foundation

With UC and CSU apps being due this week, we are especially grateful for mentors, volunteers, and more who provide time to read over students personal statements and PIQs! Shout out to Charlie Schneider, KC's personal statement teacher for #ClearingThePath for an incoming class of college goers through the art of storytelling! ... "When I teach my personal statement class, I like to share a few ideas: First, writing is both a window and a mirror. By this, I mean that writin...g is a way to allow others to see the self, as much as it is a way for the self to see itself, and the best writing does both, in my opinion. I like also to say that the student's don't have to have climbed Everest to get into a college they're interested in--they just have to show who they are, and the values that make them a unique human being. And, in my experience, the students at Kid City are compelling individuals with important stories to share. I consider it a privilege to help them tell those stories." ... KC welcomes all gifts and talents that help #ClearThePath One way is by clicking here:https://bit.ly/3o3EmKC See more

Impact in our lives comes in different ways. Motivated by her high school teachers, Hankyul clears the path for students as high a school English teacher and as a Kid City (fem)entor. "My high school English teachers were the first to open my eyes to the diversity in literature. I was no longer reading tales where I had nothing in common with the dominant protagonists, but I was surfing the minds of characters who looked and sounded like me. I finally felt like I was apar...t of this field and sought to explore that representation in college. ... I've had the privilege of being surrounded by strong femtors who've guide me through my many transitions in life, and I seek to do the same with young students who face a world of daunting opportunities in front of them. I lead with empathy, as a thought partner, armed with knowing that the student in front of me already possesses the tools to successfully take their next steps in life." We are so grateful for you Hankyul!! Want to #ClearThePath for a Kid City participant? Click here: https://bit.ly/3o3EmKC #KidCity #WeDoHope #CollegeAccess #Mentorship #YouthDevelopment #YouthLeadership

Meet Arianna! Arianna is a recent college graduate from UCLA and volunteering at KC as the Mentorship Coordinator! We asked her who helped you #ClearThePath towards your educational goals? How do you #ClearThePath for others? ... "In 2014, as college applications opened, I only planned on applying to the CSU system. I was determined to attend CSU Long Beach and study politics. I never had the desire to apply to the UC system, did not see myself attending a UC, nor did I know ...much about them. However, I was fortunate to have my academic counselor help me navigate through a personal situation and motivate me to go to college. She saw that I had the potential to reach academic success. She provided a safe space where I found the strength to overcome my hardships. She demonstrated care through words of encouragement, offering opportunities, and sometimes, equipped her personal laptop to access college applications. My academic counselor had high expectations of me when I did not see myself stepping into UCLA; nonetheless, she gave me hope with every word and action. A few months later, I got into UCLA. Because of her, I attended the number one public university and graduated with a double major in Political Science and Chicanx Studies, with a minor in Education. The biggest thing I can do for any Kid City student, family and community is help them gain the confidence needed to see themselves graduating from institutions that were not built for us. Currently, as Kid City’s Mentorship Coordinator, I assist mentors and mentees on their college application process and transition from high school to a two or four year university. With this new opportunity, I am closer to empowering communities by allowing them to share who they are and who they can be." ... Shoutout to our academic counselors that believe in us! #ClearingThePath can come in many ways. One way you can help is by donating! Visit our GoFundMe page: https://bit.ly/3o3EmKC See more

From all of us at Kid City, we hope you are having a day of rest and reflection. Today we are reflecting on those who supported us in our education pathway and how we may have been inspired to give back. Perhaps you give back by mentoring a high school student, or tutoring your siblings or neighbors, or by donating to organizations like Kid City. Whatever form or time you dedicate to give, we are thankful! For the rest of the year, we will be sharing the stories of our own ...community members on how they #ClearThePath Now more than ever, we count on your support! In this moment, when affirmative action continues to be limited in California and students and families are facing additional challenges due to COVID-19, Kid City works hard to make higher education accessible and clears a path to college for first-generation students If you want to give this holiday season, visit our GoFundMe Page at https://charity.gofundme.com/o//campai/kid-city-hope-place

Kid City Hope Place is launching #ClearThePath and asked me to reflect on the people who made a difference in getting to and through college. Here is 19 year-old me and my class of four-year-old teachers, who inspired me to transfer from SMC to Pacific Oaks College and complete my degree in child development. These little ones were so wise, including Rachel Hom and Allesen Cann! I learned to listen well and listen often to children and the people who love them, including my p...rofs -- legends like Betty Jones, Winnie Dorn, Niki Trumbo, Karen Fite, Magda Gerber. And of course my good friends Eric and Elyssa Nelson. I use what ALL Y'ALL taught me every single day and hope to inspire other 19-year olds like what these wonderful people did for me. Please give as you are able to Kid City's end of year campaign and your donation will be matched! https://charity.gofundme.com/o//campai/kid-city-hope-place See more

What does it mean to #ClearThePath to college? It means thinking about all the people who helped you to get where you are today, and all the things you do to help others. At Kid City Hope Place and Urban Foundation we are filled with gratitude to see all the ways that people are encouraging, helping, and supporting each other. Follow us over the next few weeks to hear stories of high school students making sure their friends have enough pizza during college apps, college stud...ents coming around to offer advice on applying to college, parents who provide support and love, and the staff members who coordinate this beautiful chaos. We invite you to join us (www.kidcityhopeplace.org/join) and to give, as you are able to help #ClearThePath for others. Your gifts to Kid City through the end of the year will be DOUBLED by the All Ways Up Foundation, who is doing their part to help #ClearThePath too. https://charity.gofundme.com/o//campai/kid-city-hope-place See more

#ClearingThePath looks like leading by example. For Anne Hawthorne (pictured far left, first row) KC's Executive Director, practicing radical love is a valuable lesson she learned along her journey as an educator! "Winnie Dorn, my teacher at Pacific Oaks College taught adolescent development and supervised my student teaching at a small high school. She personified radical love and her trust in teenagers transformed them. I'm incredibly grateful for all the amazing teachers I... had at Pacific Oaks, and use what they taught me every single day." Thank you to all who #ClearThePath for Kid City Students, for first gen students, your siblings, neighbors, friends, mentees, and the list goes on! All your support and talents are recognized and greatly appreciated. We wish you a happy and safe new year Want make final 2020 contribution to Kid City? Go to or click charity.gofundme.com/clearthepath!

Who is your driving force? For many, to #ClearThePath it is to be motivated by a previous action, a person, or an event. For Colin, his parents were part of that motivation. College access and youth leadership requires acknowledging all parts of a student's potential, including family and for some the arts! Thank you Colin for all that you do! .... "My parents were really the driving force behind my educational journey. They always said "it doesn't matter where -- community... college, trade school, 4-year -- but when you finish high school you're going to college." That was the rule, and they helped all of my brothers and I to make sure that happened. [At KC]I help open up interests in art and music in my job at Kid City. I have met a great many students who never realized there are educational and professional opportunities for the arts." ... Help Kid City #ClearThePath by donating to our end of year campaign! We are at our final two days. Click here to give: charity.gofundme.com/clearthepath See more

From a high school participant to present day staff member, Ben's education pathway was strongly shaped by the support of Ms. Brill and he is now inspired to do the same for current students at KC! "Someone that always stood out to me was my 12th Grade AP Literature teacher, Ms. Brill. In all my years of school I never had someone who challenged in a positive way to be better because she knew I had the capacity to do more than I was doing and more than I even thought was po...ssible. The impact of meaningful conversations or support from this person helped me out in ways that only were clear to me later. I hope show and pass on that same belief and confidence in people's potential and to walk alongside those who are now beginning their educational journeys. Whether its someone has been a part of Kid City, someone who hasn't been around in awhile or a new face to the Kid City Community, my "virtual" door is always open and whether its PIQ's or what's a good way to purse my interests, I am here to support and believe in you!" Want to #ClearThePath for a KC student? Click here: charity.gofundme.com/clearthepath

Support truly comes in different forms. Whether it is a scholarship, mentorship, or a care package, there is no right size to the impact that is made. For a current mentor, Vicky Leon, #ClearingThePath comes in the form of mentorship and donating to the Franklin HS scholarship! We appreciate you Vicky! "From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to go to college. I studied A LOT, got good grades, and was accepted to UC Santa Barbara in 1977. At the same time, I have fiv...e brothers and one sister, and money was tight for my newly divorced mom. My high school had a Franklin Educational Foundation which gave me a scholarship when I needed it the most. Every year, I have given a donation to the FEF so that other Franklin High School students may receive support for their college expenses, but I wanted to do more. ... I am a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Centenary has had a strong relationship with Kid City since 2015. The congregation provides care packages to the Kid City high school & college students each year and has hosted Kid City Conferences. When I finally retired as a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher, I decided to become a Kid City Mentor. My mentees; Mary, Emily, and Olga; will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to see what their future brings. " Want #ClearThePath for a participant at Kid City? Visit charity.gofundme.com/clearthepath to donate! #KidCity #WeDoHope #CollegeAccess #Mentorship #YouthDevelopment #YouthLeadership

Sometimes all we need is one person to believe in us and inspire us to be the best version of ourselves! For Alejandra, KC's current college prep intern, her advisors #clearedthepath for her pathway to college! ... "My Upward Bound Academic Advisor, Eileen Jimenez, had a hugggeeeee impact on my pursuit to college. As an OC native and UCLA Alum, she was super insightful and provided me (and some friends) with so many resources, advice and information to aid me in not just app...lying to college but feeling confident in doing so. My high school academic counselor and college counselor were also amazing in providing me with resources as far as the application process. Within College Prep this Fall Semester I've worked with other Kid City staff to create intentional classes to provide students with the resources, knowledge, and support to apply to college and think about why they even want to pursue higher education in the first place. Next semester will focus on preparing students to transition from high school to college. " ... Want to be a part of Kid City's goal to #clearthepath? Go to charity.gofundme.com/clearthepath

How many of you are inspired by your family to pursue your goals? We can all relate to Chris Armendariz, a long time Kid City friend and current mentor, who is strongly inspired by his mother, Karen .... "The greatest influence on my education journey is my mother, Karen Armendariz. She's always believed in my abilities and encouraged me to make the most of every opportunity. She also showed me how to work harder than anyone else to achieve my goals. She wanted me to be the ...first one in my family to graduate with a degree and never let me forget that it was possible. Each day I wake up, if I can provide even a portion of the amazing help and guidance I've received over the years, I figure I'm doing something right. I try to keep learning as much as I can and make myself available to anyone who wants in on the process. I try to bring positivity and compassion everywhere I go, and hope to make the educational process as fun as possible. I've got an incredible group of friends and a spouse who all motivate me to live up to the amazing things they are doing. I'm honored to have been involved with Kid City in one way or another for at least 5 years now. I'm constantly blown away by the work that the staff and students there do on a daily basis. As impressive as that work is, the people that make up that community are even better. Kid City has been the most inspirational force in my life since the first event I attended, and make it easy for me to want to open that road for others. " ... Shout out to all the parents, siblings, and lifelong companions for #clearingthepath through their unconditional support! Want to give? Click here:Click here: https://bit.ly/3o3EmKC #KidCity #WeDoHope #CollegeAccess #Mentorship #YouthDevelopment #YouthLeadership See more