[dmg_masonry_gallery...
College Bound 6/22/2024
read more
JIT’s College Bound & Virtual Services Highlighted in Union-Tribune Feature Piece
By Karla Peterson, San Diego Union-Tribune
When Virgo Villajin first checked out Just in Time for Foster Youth’s College Bound services, he figured he would just take the laptop and run.
He figured wrong.
“I really just wanted to get a laptop and a printer,” Villajin said of College Bound, which gives foster youth the supplies and support they need to start college and stay there. “But these people were super excited to be part of my journey, and it was those relationships that got me through some of the biggest challenges I didn’t expect to experience while I was in college.”
That was in 2015. Five years and many mentoring sessions, career-preparation workshops and furniture drop-offs later, Villajin has a bachelor’s degree in biology from San Diego State University and a job with Just in Time for Foster Youth. As the organization’s youth services lead coordinator, he is in charge of helping the newest group of college-bound participants deal with some of the unexpected challenges of college life.
Like how to start college during a global pandemic.
In a non-coronavirus year, the 2020 College Bound participants would be kicking off their journey with a two-day event where they would share their stories, connect with their volunteer coaches, and shop at Walmart for dorm and classroom supplies, including laptops and printers.
Now, the networking and socializing will happen online. The laptops, printers, bedding and other supplies will be picked up at Just in Time’s Mission Valley offices during the newly instituted “Drive-Thru Days,” which will happen in July.
But whether the support comes through a Zoom hangout session or a virtual workshop, or during a quick socially distanced visit to the offices, Just in Time will be there. Wherever “there” happens to be.
“We want our incoming cohort of 75 to feel celebrated, and we want them to know we are excited for them to embark on their journey, and that we will be with them the whole way,” Villajin said. “And we hope they stick around to utilize the other resources and get to know us well”…
Keep Reading:
Read More
Latest Youth Stories
Leveraging Strengths for Professional Success
Michael loves people and networking, so when Pathways to Financial Power appeared on his radar, he was excited to join. “I’m a business and accounting major, so I know the math side, but Pathways seemed like a chance to get into the Business World, network, and...
Mastering Doubt
Entering foster care at the age of twelve, Ana experienced seven different placements in three years. “I always remember sitting in foster homes thinking, ‘When I get out of here and have control over my life, I want to do something with myself.’ I knew the key was...
A Path To Wellness
In 2022, when Kory left Pittsburgh for San Diego, he was leaving behind more than his hometown; he was leaving behind a dark period of uncertainty and betting on a better life. Having survived foster care, Korey found himself overwhelmed by anxiety and stress and...
Archives
- 2024
- January 2024February 2024March 2024April 2024May 2024June 2024July 2024August 2024September 2024October 2024
- 2023
- January 2023February 2023March 2023April 2023May 2023June 2023July 2023August 2023September 2023October 2023November 2023December 2023
- 2022
- January 2022February 2022March 2022April 2022May 2022June 2022July 2022August 2022September 2022October 2022November 2022December 2022
- 2021
- February 2021March 2021April 2021May 2021June 2021July 2021August 2021September 2021October 2021November 2021December 2021
- 2020
- January 2020February 2020March 2020April 2020May 2020June 2020July 2020August 2020October 2020November 2020December 2020
- 2019
- January 2019February 2019March 2019April 2019May 2019June 2019July 2019August 2019September 2019October 2019November 2019December 2019
- 2018
- October 2018November 2018December 2018
- 2017
- January 2017February 2017March 2017April 2017May 2017
- 2016
- August 2016September 2016December 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- June 2014September 2014November 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
- 1990
- 1989
- 1988
- 1987
- 1986
- 1985
- 1984
- 1983
- 1982
- 1981
- 1980
- 1979
- 1978
- 1977
- 1976
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
- 1972
- 1971
- 1970
- 1969
- 1968
- 1967
- 1966
- 1965
- 1964
- 1963
- 1962
- 1961
- 1960
- 1959
- 1958
- 1957
- 1956
- 1955
- 1954
- 1953
- 1952
- 1951
- 1950
