Growing up in an abusive adoptive home, Jason didn’t think he’d live through the trauma and make it to his late teens, let alone graduate high school or attend college. But he found the strength to persevere, and to his own surprise, he not only graduated high school, he was accepted into San Diego State University.

While in his freshman year at SDSU, he was introduced to Guardian Scholars, a program that supports foster youth on campus. There he met Simone, who was the program coordinator at the time. With Simone’s encouragement, Jason joined the JIT community and immediately engaged in multiple services, including College Bound. He received the tools he needed to succeed in college, including a laptop and printer, but he gained so much more.

“The College Bound materials help a ton, but I also got connected to people with resources who are knowledgeable,” he shared. “My mentor, Bob, is really dope. We connect all the time. He proactively helps me with everything I need. He takes an active interest and I can tell he genuinely likes me and that means a lot.”

Another connection Jason made through College Bound is Red Door Interactive, a digital marketing agency in San Diego. He recently started an internship with them and connected with a mentor named Angie. Now he’s learning the ins and outs of marketing and is passionate about a possible career in the field!

“I just started caring about my future. I’m trying more each day,” said Jason. “I have the push from the support I’ve gotten. I have nothing to lose and a thousand percent to gain. The information you can gain, the connections you can make at JIT – people who actually care – it’s such a privilege.’