The Border View Family YMCA is launching a pilot program to help kids in San Ysidro prepare for college. Students in San Ysidro have a low rate of college acceptance, but community leaders are working to change that.
The YMCA has partnered with Winward Academy to build an online, interactive tutoring program that aims to prepare young people to take SAT and ACT tests. The goal is to help underserved children at San Ysidro High School achieve their dreams.
“Being successful, attending college, graduating, having a Bachelor’s degree,” said Isabela Mercado, as she listed her education goals.
Mercado is one of 135 students taking part in the new college readiness program.
She is a junior in high school now. In a couple of years, she hopes to be studying business at San Diego State University. She will be the first person in her family to attend college. She appreciates the tutoring she is receiving and says that many of her friends are also interested in the program.
“There’s a really low acceptance rate for us Latinos, for our (San Ysidro) community to attend college. So it’s really important for us,” said Mercado.
San Ysidro native Gaby Millan is the Executive Director at the Border View YMCA. She has led this latest effort to get underprivileged kids to go to college. The program includes getting students to embrace study habits and build confidence.
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“This is not just to motivate the children, but to the parents to tell them your children have the ability to do this, and we need your support as well,” said Millan.
The YMCA College Readiness Program is being made possible through donations from San Diego Councilmember Vivian Moreno’s office, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Winward Academy.
