Sweetwater Union High School District

Amount Appropriated?

$2.9M

FFID tracks stages 1–2 — stages 3–5 vary by agency, assistance type, and earmark structure.

Project Description

The projects being proposed are interconnected to serve the diverse population needs of our young people living within and outside CA-53, with a special emphasis on areas encompassing East Chula Vista. \n\nIn the past ten years, there has been an increase in depression, suicide, learning disabilities and academic underperformance within these communities. Unfortunately, during the past two years, COVID-19 has exacerbated these needs to unprecedented levels. Lack of after school and enrichment programs in CD-53 is especially critical because these sites do not qualify for participation in federally funded ASSETs 21st Century High School. \n\nThe first project, Extended Learning, will offer after school activities to engage students and rebuild their self-esteem, confidence in school, and connect them to professional adults who can support their socio/emotional needs. Partnering with BPLiving, students and staff will have access to student-centered lifestyles-for-learning initiative focused on health and wellness supports. Supports provided to students will be further strengthened through offering special workshops for parents mirroring the supports provided to students to ensure parents can also be supportive outside school. \n\nThe second project, Exploratory Pathways, will provide students access to assessment tools for evaluating career exploratory pathways and access to internships and mentorships with community business partners, through a collaborative partnership with B-Unbound. Such exploration will allow students in their search for connection into our community. Working with community partners to expose young students to possible future careers is critical during teenage years. Intentional student internships bridge our business community to our educational institutions so students can experience career options before they select a major in college or pursue a certification.