Investing in Young People and Their Futures
For many years, I have supported Kids at Heart, a program of UPLIFT San Diego. My involvement has included tutoring, mentoring, fundraising, educational activities, and community events designed to support students and families throughout San Diego.
Kids at Heart provides free tutoring and mentoring for low-income students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including many students who are learning English as an additional language. The program connects students with volunteers who offer academic support, encouragement, and consistent personal attention.
While I no longer serve as an active classroom tutor, my commitment to the young people I met through the program has continued. Several former students are now young adults, and I remain involved in their lives as a mentor—offering encouragement, perspective, business assessment, entrepreneurial counseling, and practical support as they make decisions about education, work, and adulthood.
For some students, that support also includes opportunities for hands-on work experience and internships. I believe exposure to real-world expectations, professional responsibility, and the possibility of building something of one’s own can be as valuable as formal instruction. My goal is not to prescribe a path, but to help young adults recognize their abilities, evaluate opportunities carefully, and take the next constructive step.
Relationships That Continue
The original work with Kids at Heart included tutoring sessions, one-to-one learning, fundraising, educational outings, shared meals, beach days, sports activities, and college-preparation conversations. It brought me into contact with children and families whose backgrounds span many countries and cultures, including Ghana, Burundi, Tanzania, Mexico, and beyond.
“A car full of young men singing in Swahili is a kick,” I have often said. “These students have broadened my view of the world, and I hope our time together has helped broaden theirs. We learn from one another.”
The lasting value of Kids at Heart has been the relationships created over time. For many young people, reliable encouragement from an adult—someone who listens, asks thoughtful questions, and continues to care after the school year ends—can make a meaningful difference.
About UPLIFT San Diego
UPLIFT stands for Urban People Living in Faith & Trust. The organization supports San Diego families through academic-improvement, mentoring, and housing-stability programs. Kids at Heart is one of its core programs, providing free tutoring and mentoring to low-income students across San Diego County.
My work with Kids at Heart has been one of the most meaningful parts of my life in San Diego. I remain committed to supporting the students, families, volunteers, and community that have given so much to me in return.