JOYA Scholars Kick-Off Event!

After a group of dreamers and educators met over the past nine months to create a program to inspire and prepare students from the Garnet Neighborhood to succeed in college, JOYA Scholars finally got underway on Monday!

There was a full house at the Garnet Community Center! Over 70 students and parents, Joya mentors, and advisory team members came together for the first time over dinner to learn more about the program.

Joya friends Luis Orona and Janette Castillo gave inspiring speeches of overcoming meager beginnings from the projects in Mexico and South Central LA, respectively. Students were encouraged to aim high and dream big; parents were exhorted to commit to their child's education, to supporting their child going to college.

Program Director Bianca Pena shared the mission of Joya to the students; Mentor Sandra Franco translated our hopes to the parents. Through it all, the message was singular: Each student was sitting there, specially invited, because we believed in them. We believe in their talents and dreams, their smarts and hard work. We believe they can succeed in life beyond what they can imagine. We believe they can change the world. Change their world. And if they wanted, we were there to help them.

Thanks to our most amazing team and the many generous and supportive friends of JOYA who gave of their time, talents, and money to make the evening such a success!

More updates to come as the program begins later this month with student and parent workshops, college tours, and mentoring.

Join us in changing the life of a student and and his or her family by donating or being a mentor. Visit us here.

Here's to breaking the cycle of poverty one student at a time!