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Shana was 14 when her parents divorced. Angered by their break-up, and deeply hurt when her dad left California, she felt her life spiraling out of control. “I started acting out—small things at first, like smoking,” Shana recounts. Fortunately, her mother encouraged her to get involved with JFCS’ YouthFirst program, which grounded her through service learning and leadership activities.
“When I started going out into the community and helping others in need, like senior citizens and people with developmental disabilities, I began feeling better about myself,” says Shana. “It seemed like I had a purpose, and it was great being involved with other young people with similar interests and concerns.”
When Shana was applying for college, her top choices were private schools on the East Coast and Midwest. “There was a huge problem,” she says. “I had the grades, but not the money.”
Again, JFCS came to the rescue. “The grants and loans I received from JFCS allowed me to go to Oberlin,” says Shana, now a teacher studying for her master’s in education. “One of the reasons I’m working with young people is the experience I had in JFCS’ youth programs. A little investment in our young people can make a huge difference.”
JFCS friend Alison Ross agrees. “My husband and I earmark our gifts to JFCS’ youth programs because we think that they do a great job paying attention to kids’ needs and cultivating their interests and talents.”
Thank you to the JFCS donors who make it possible for so many youth in our community to reach their full potential.
You can help strengthen our community by investing in our youth. Give today! Or learn how you can support youth programs by calling 415-449-1256 or emailing [email protected]