ACCESS YOUTH ACADEMY
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Mission Statement
Access Youth Academy’s mission is to transform the lives of underserved youth through academic enrichment, health and wellness, social responsibility, critical thinking, and leadership development using sports as a catalyst. We believe every child should have equal access to achieve their full potential.
About This Cause
Founded in 2006, Access Youth Academy is an after-school life-skill and academic enrichment program for low-income San Diego youth aged 10-24+ designed to foster equal access to higher education, healthy lifestyle habits, and post-college graduation employment. In a 14-year commitment that begins in 5th grade, Access students embark on a curriculum of intellectual, physical, and social development where academic enrichment, sports training, and financial support combine to help them realize their full potential. The 14-year Promise is divided into three phases, which align with the needs of students as they progress toward academic and career success: Phase 1 – Grades 5-12 Each student receives • Over 460 hours per year of academic support: tutoring, mentoring, standardized test prep, college selection and application assistance, career-focused learning experiences, mental and physical health & lifestyle wellness activities. • Athletic training and financial support needed to succeed in regional & national sports competitions. Phase 2 - 4-year Undergraduate Degree Access continues to support students in college through bi-monthly check-ins, ongoing financial aid and internship assistance, and any academic or emotional needs that arise. Phase 3 – 2 Years Post-College For our college graduates, we provide financial literacy education, resume support, job interview coaching, and networking opportunities, all highly individualized to suit each of our young professional’s career and graduate study goals. During the school year, Access students receive 1.5 hours of squash instruction and 1.5 hours of educational enrichment two to three times per week (two times per week, plus alternating Fridays). During summer, students can participate in three weeks of squash camp and one week of academic camp. Additionally, Access students participate in health and wellness, college and career preparedness, financial responsibility, and leadership activities weekly during programming, and once-monthly weekend community service activities. Academic achievement includes activities like: • Individual content area support • Standardized test preparation • College application and selection counseling and assistance • Building responsible work and study habits Health and wellness: • Regular and rigorous athletic training • Stress management and emotional help • Building healthy relationships and communication skills • Nutrition education Leadership: • Monthly mentoring activities with adult volunteers • Providing creative leadership opportunities for all students • Deliberate emphasis on the practice of sportsmanship • Empowering students to take progressive ownership of programs Social responsibility: • Monthly service-learning opportunities throughout San Diego • Expecting older students to guide and coach younger generations • Encouraging students to apply leadership lessons to the broader community • Community building across all ages and genders Over 18 years, Access students have achieved a 100% high school graduation rate, 100% college acceptance rate, secured over $12.8 Million in earned scholarships (including Gates Millennium and Quest Bridge Awards), and our student-athletes have won a total of 13 National Squash Titles. Access students have been accepted to and earned degrees from some of the nation’s top-rated schools, including Columbia, Dartmouth, Yale, Cornell, Princeton, Stanford, UC Berkeley. Access program graduates have entered careers in biotechnology, structural engineering, cognitive science, medical fields, and immigration law. Meet Tiffany: 2020 Access program graduate. She is the first in her family to attend university; Graduated from UC Berkeley with departmental honors and an undergraduate degree in molecular & cell biology; Currently enrolled in a doctorate program in optometry and seeing patients under supervision; Passionate about giving back to her community. "My time at Access was life-changing, to say the least. It is because of the opportunities and resources Access provides that allows us to develop our love for the sport of squash, do the best we can do academically, and understand and appreciate our community and learn how we can give back to it. What Access emphasizes is beyond athletic and academic scholarship. It emphasizes teamwork, self-growth, and hard work, all of which plays into success and preparation for college and life." – Tiffany Meet Djulia: Djulia moved to the United States from Ethiopia, Africa when she was a child. Soon after arriving in America, she lost her mother to cancer and was placed in foster care. Her father, who had stayed behind in Africa, attempted to come to the US to care for her but tragically died during his travels. This left Djulia a ward of the state. Djulia joined Access Youth Academy in the 7th grade and finally found the family she desperately needed. With a strong support network that included her teachers, mentor, teammates, and friends, Djulia could reach heights she previously thought to be unattainable. She became an excellent squash player and played in Team Nationals during her high school years. Djulia struggled academically, but she worked to increase her GPA using grit and determination and was accepted on a full-ride scholarship to UC Berkeley. She is now majoring in Social Welfare and plans to work with juvenile center and foster youth after graduation. Additionally, Djulia has been named the captain of the UC Berkeley women's squash team! Djulia is deeply connected to Access Youth Academy and praises the program as a significant contributor to her continued success. In Djulia's words "I had no home; Access gave me a home. I had no voice; Access gave me a voice."