When Clarease, a young woman from Sacramento, aged out of foster care, her path forward was unclear. Like many young adults who age out of the system, she lacked the resources or support she needed to confidently achieve milestones in the transition from teenager to young adulthood that many of us take for granted. Unlike most of us who have the helping hand of a parent or guardian to guide us through the process of seeking a first job or applying to college, as a foster youth, Clearease was on her own.
Fortunately, she would soon find a means to overcome the gaps in her support system by joining Juma’s YouthConnect program. At Juma, she would earn much more than just a paycheck–she would also gain confidence and find the support she needed to build stability in her life and create a pathway toward achieving her goals.
“High school was a struggle,” she shares. “I knew I had to apply myself, and when I did, I ended up graduating high school with a 3.7 GPA.” The same determination that carried her through her high school coursework would also serve her well as she tackled the challenges of building a plan for her future. Together with Juma’s Education Coordinator, Jesus, Clarease applied to enroll in community college and created a plan to transfer to a four-year university the following year.
But crafting a plan for her education was not the only hurdle Clarease had to clear in order to find stability. One of the biggest barriers holding Clarease back was a lack of reliable transportation to work. After moving into her own apartment, she no longer had access to rides to work. Fortunately, Juma was able to support Clarease through the Juma Youth Empowerment Emergency Fund–a fund specifically created to help cover urgent needs like transportation, work attire, and more. “Knowing this support is there has relieved so many of my anxieties,” Clarease says. “Amanda [Juma’s Case Manager] helped me secure a ride to my DMV test – that’s when I knew Juma’s got my back.”
Clarease is one of hundreds of youth that Juma Sacramento has supported since launching in 2016. Now thriving in her Juma job and mentoring others, Clarease’s advice to her fellow Juma youth reflects the mindset that has shaped her journey: “Even when it’s hard, keep asking for help. During times when I feel like I don’t want to ask for help, I continue telling myself that knowing the answer will one day help me with bigger positions in the future.”
As a leader in youth workforce development, Juma continues to create transformative first job opportunities, mentorship, and support to prepare young people for success in a competitive job market. Youth like Clearease want to work hard to succeed, but lack the resources and opportunities to overcome systemic barriers to their success. Thanks to the generosity of our community and the work of our dedicated team, we are building bridges to opportunities for these young people.
