Guardian Scholars kicked off the 2023-2024 academic year at San Diego Miramar College!

Students gathered with their peers to learn about the resources and services available to them as they strive to reach their educational and career goals.

This year, students were reintroduced to specialty groups that help build community and belonging, including Advocates for Change, Leadership Network, Black & Latinx cultural groups, Parenting, and LGBTQ+ group. There was a resource fair with information on services related to housing, childcare, employment, and more. A wellness workshop gave them vital insight on prioritizing physical and mental health. Lastly, California Coast Credit Union gave a lesson on financial literacy and best practices.

It’s an exciting time of year for Guardian Scholars and we can’t wait to see what they achieve this year!

We are grateful to have been selected once again as the beneficiary of the 2023 @loansigningsystem conference this year!

This annual conference has raised critical funds for Promises2Kids. Loan Signing System owner, Mark Wills, is a Promises2Kids Board member, a major donor, Men’s Leadership Network Coach, Mentor, a foster youth himself, and a valued champion of our mission. We are thankful for both Mark’s and his business partner, Roman Rosario’s continued support.

Guardian Scholar, Katy spoke on how the program has impacted her life and she was an inspiration to everyone in the room.

Thank you to Loan Signing System, the conference, and the over 1,000 notary signing agents in attendance, who raised $13,000 for San Diego’s foster youth!

Guardian Scholars sought valuable insight into their futures on a recent trip exploring the professional possibilities of California’s key industries. These trips provide valuable experience and perspective to students who are putting in the hard work and careful consideration into the next phase of their lives.

It was an immersive experience for students as they stayed on campus in the SFSU dorms, tried out the campus cafeteria, and sampled the finer points of a 4-year university experience. The emphasis of the trip was to explore the vast career opportunities within the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) available within California. Students toured the campus headquarters of some of the biggest names in the tech industry including @Google, @Netflix, @Salesforce, @LinkedIn, @Pinterest, and @YouTube. The group also sampled the thriving biomedical industry in the Bay Area by visiting companies on the cutting edge of medical research, like Intuitive Surgical and Merck. Each site visit was accompanied by a Q&A panel, where curiosities were fulfilled.

The group toured the world-famous Alcatraz prison, ate at Bubba Gump, and zipped along the hills of San Francisco in cable cars. This also gave students a chance to connect with Guardian Scholars attending SFSU and @ucsandiego.

Guardian Scholar & SFSU alum, Kesia conceived of the trip that involved Guardian Scholars programs from UCSD, SFSU, and Promises2Kids, allowing youth to network and build relationships based on shared interests and experiences.

The experience was made possible through a collaboration between programs supporting foster youth at Promises2Kids, UCSD & SFSU.

It was a whirlwind of week for these Guardian Scholars, but as they flew back home, they took with them a greater sense of what their future may hold.

Thank you to @southwestair, the Official Airline of Promises2Kids, for making this opportunity possible by providing round-trip airfare for those who traveled from San Diego.

Guardian Scholar, Brandy, and Promises2Kids Programs Director, Rashida, sat down on @CBS8 to discuss our need for one-on-one mentors and group coaches this coming year!

The beginning of the school year is a critical time for current and former foster youth as they navigate new challenges, both in school and out. That’s why having a trusted mentor or coach available to them to help guide them to success is a cornerstone of the Guardian Scholars program.

Our class of Guardian Scholars grows larger each year and the need for mentors and coaches grows with it. If you are interested in giving back to the San Diego community, visit our website to learn more or sign up: promises2kids.org/volunteer/