Mutual Housing youth get crucial after-school support

"It's making me better at school," says Lashayla, age 11, who is one of the many youth resident members engaged in after-school programs across 18 of Mutal Housing's communities.



"My mom recently had surgery and my dad is helping after work with chores like dishes, making the bed, and mopping. So, after-school homework help is great right now," she elaborates, "Adriana helps me with my homework and makes it easier to get it done here than at home."

"From the first day to now, I feel like I'm modeling being a leader for them," says Adriana, one of four Sacramento State University students who provides homework help on weekday afternoons during the school year. The partnership with Sacramento State Division of Student Affairs helps place local college students into Mutual Housing communities to support its organization-wide Culture of College. Explains Mutual Housing Director of Community Organizing Fernando Cibrian, "We want our youth to engage with their teachers more to lead to higher enjoyment of school and higher grades."

Adds Sacramento State Student Rosalia Lopez, "I get them to engage also through activities like creating sight word-books, recycling, and learning about the plants around the community. Some days I work with up to 8 youth ranging from pre-school to 6th grade. [Ultimately] I want the youth to keep participating in the after-school program beyond my own time serving here."

In addition to our after-school support, we have a College Ambassadors program to establish mentorship relationships for our resident youth members to support their individual pathways to higher education. With support from Teichert Foundation and Sierra Health Foundation, this spring, our first cohort graduated at community events in three Mutual Housing communities.

Mutual Housing California wants all of our resident students to know that college is a real option for them and to provide the environment and support necessary for students to succeed. We provide unique support to first generation college students. Our culture of college combines consistent and reliable hands-on support, school-year and summer nutrition components, and tangible pathways to higher education.

Originally posted on mutualhousing.com.