At this year’s annual Paths to Possibility Gala in San Francisco, Juma’s supporters and staff came together to celebrate the achievements of Juma youth and raise funds in support of Juma’s award-winning YouthConnect model. Together, we raised more than $265,000 – funding which will help to expand Connect, a key pillar to deliver Juma’s long-held mission to pave the way to work and opportunity for young people.
The event, which took place at Chase Center’s Above the Rim, was entertaining as well as inspiring. The uplifting keynote speech was delivered by NBA champion Festus Ezeli. Remarks were also shared by Juma Board Chair Susan Hopkinson and Board member Damaune Journey, Abdiel Cerrud, Juma’s Interim CEO, and Emmanuel, a Juma youth who shared his story of, in the face of adversity, securing the support he needed to earn income and find his footing in the professional world at Juma.
While every Paths to Possibility Gala contributes hugely to our ability to continue providing pathways to opportunity for youth from underserved communities, this year was notable for the impact every dollar raised will have on one of the most important moments in our program: the ending. At Juma, we say that it ‘starts with a job’, but we strive to also ensure that Juma youth leave our program having gained the skills and confidence to move forward toward the career of their choice. We know that in order to make this transition as smoothly as possible, they will need achievable, individualized plans to move their career trajectory forward.
Funds raised at Paths to Possibility 2025 will support a new era for the Connect portion of our Earn, Learn, Connect model. Funds will go toward valuable experiences for youth, such as one-on-one coaching to help youth navigate life transitions, build confidence, and stay on course. They will also support personalized goal planning by aiding youth in using their Juma Blueprint to align their strengths and aspirations with actionable steps toward education, employment, or entrepreneurship. In addition, the new Connect services will provide real-world experience with training in hands-on leadership skills, job shadowing, and internships to provide valuable exposure, practical skills, and mentorship.
To ensure that youth can make the most of these new resources and opportunities, part of the funds raised will be dedicated to barrier removal. Alleviating financial burdens such as transportation to get to a new job or the need for professional attire can be the difference between a young person succeeding in their next step forward versus taking a step back. These funds will also be available to help youth get through emergencies that might otherwise knock them off the pathway forward toward a stable career.
The celebration was a triumph for both Juma youth and our supporters. We are grateful to each and every person who contributed to making Paths to Possibility 2025 a night to remember and whose generosity will support the next generation of Juma youth as they step into their next chapters.
You can relive the magic of Paths to Possibilities with the event photos [here]. If you were not able to join us but would like to help build pathways to opportunity for the next generation of Juma youth, you can contribute [here].
