A School that Makes You Feel Safe and Wanted

Youth Chance High School at Embarcadero YMCA

In June 2019, I was able to attend Embarcadero YMCA's Youth Chance High School graduation hosted at BlackRock. What is Youth Chance High School you may ask? Youth Chance High School (YCHS) is an alternative private high school located in San Francisco, California for teens that are at risk of not receiving a high school diploma due to obstacles and challenges they face in their daily lives. YCHS students range from ages 15 to 17 years old which most are of people of color.

As a Bank of America Student Leader, being at the graduation and witnessing the way the parents, families and friends cheered on these students was so heartwarming because I saw a glimpse of my future as a high school graduate next year. In the room, I felt the presence of joy in the students’ and families’ faces. I saw the bright smiles of the students and through the smiles, I see them as the changemakers and individuals that we need in society today. Coming from a community much like where these students are from, I understand the things they go through. I know many of my peers who don't come to school or fail classes which makes them fall behind on their credits and puts their graduation in jeopardy.

Supportive Education

Many students don’t always have the support they need to prioritize their education which leads them to turn to other alternatives that are harmful to their wellbeing. It was so incredible to hear one graduate talk about how she attended three different schools before enrolling in Youth Chance High School which made her feel safe and wanted. I was especially touched by how she now goes to juvenile detention centers to volunteer with youth who might be in a similar position as she was before she attended Youth Chance High School.

Impacting the Future

I see that these students have grown to understand the community and the world around them. At this graduation, I got to see the future and the impact they will make in the world. This program has shown me that if you invest in youth who are struggling, like Bank of America, and other philanthropic partners, these students will become unstoppable and will fight through obstacles to reach their dreams.

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Youth Chance High School

Youth Chance High School (YCHS) is a state-accredited private high school located at the Embarcadero YMCA. The majority of students who come to YCHS have stated they have failed in traditional public high school because of large class sizes, inattentive teachers, and the inability to focus due to a magnitude of life’s distractions. The Y offers a safe, supportive environment in downtown San Francisco to build confidence, skills and networks.

Bank of America Student Leaders

Since 2004, the Student Leaders program at Bank of America has been part of their ongoing commitment to youth employment and economic mobility. Preparing a diverse pipeline of community-minded young students with the leadership training they need to be successful in the workforce is vital to their approach to responsible growth and helps to build thriving communities. Every year, through their Student Leaders program, they help connect 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development and service. The YMCA of San Francisco is lucky to work with Student Leaders every summer.

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