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IYT's Monthly Newsletter

Thursday, June 9th

Celebrating IYT U Graduates

Reflections from University Program Manager, Jeff Towey

Each year, IYT U has the honor and privilege to see our young men graduate. After two years of the Pandemic, virtual graduations, and many brothers struggling, we were finally able to celebrate our college graduates by holding in-person events. In total, 10 young men of color graduated seven from Sac State and three from UC Davis. Our graduates are alumni from our middle school and high school program, College Academy, transfer students, and members recruited on campus. Our IYT U brothers are not only members of our program but many are also serving as mentors, and almost all are first generation college graduates. Our graduates are entering into impactful driven career fields, such as public policy, research and advocacy for the public wellbeing, and international NGO's.

But before our alumni go off to change the world, we made sure to honor their accomplishments thus far. The past years have been unprecedented for so many reasons and seeing our young men smile, laugh, cheer for one another, and share their thoughts about this monumental occasion was amazing. As each brother received their alumni shirt, award, and graduation stole, all of the sacrifices made by these young men and their families was actualized at that moment. Quarantine, Zoom calls, midterms, finals, and all they have endured during college, paid off as they emerged as college graduates and the realization of the dreams of their families and ancestors.

That night they finished the race and reached the end goal of IYT.

My brothers, we are proud of you and your accomplishments and it was our pleasure to play a part in your journey. Know that you are always a part of this family.

Upcoming Events

IYT's 6th Annual Graduation Celebration

Join us Saturday, June 11th for our first in-person graduation celebration since the pandemic! We’ll be honoring the largest college-going class in our 9-year history with some truly special guests and performances!

RSVP Here

These events are made available to our communities with vital support from and in partnership with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation and the City of Sacramento.

IYT Sports Day

June 10th

Join IYT brothers and program staff in Sacramento for an all sports day at Northgate Park. Lunch will be provided to all participants!

Event Registration

IYT Pool Party

June 25th

Stay cool this month by joining IYT brothers and program staff over at Doyle Pool in Sacramento! Lunch will be provided as well.

Event Registration

ICYMI: May Recap

Project Rise Celebration Update

Project Rise is a unique program designed to help young men of color exit the juvenile detention center and make their way into the arms of IYT mentors.

Currently, Project Rise has served 167 Brothers inside the Juvenile Detention Center. We have had over 454 mentorship sessions. Of the many Brothers served, 12 have officially met the requirements necessary to be a Project Rise Scholar, and over 90% have not experienced recidivism.

Project Rise Scholars receive an educational award as they progress through an IYT curriculum and activities designed to help them reflect on their day to day lives while using resources and mentors as tools for growth. Our Brothers have access to counseling services and traditional IYT programming that offers them the chance to explore internships and even job placement. Recently, a Project Rise Scholar was accepted to Howard University after visiting it for the first time during an IYT HBCU Trip.

On May 12th, three more young men were welcomed into our Project Rise family. We celebrated with balloons, Fixins Soul Kitchen, and family. This celebration is a new chance at life. Families and Mentors came together to celebrate the greatness that is to come from our young men. We celebrate their decision to change their lives for the better as Project Rise Scholars.

IYT Supporters Help Send Brothers on College Trip

Our college tours have proven to be transformative experiences for members, helping them form strong and authentic experiences on college campuses before it’s time to apply. We’ve found that after just a single IYT college tour, our members are 75% more likely to attend college, with two college trips makine members more than 80% likely.

Given these findings, we’re teaming up with Social Impact Partners, a Sacramento based philanthropy group to help send over 900 YMOC on college exposure trips! This past month, Sac Impact Partners even came out to greet a group of our Luther Burbank and Rosa Parks members before they went off on a weekend college trip to CSU Chico.

We’d like to send a special thank you to Jim and Mary Jo Streng, Frank Washington, and Ken Noack for entrusting us with the resources and support necessary to help more YMOC pursue their college bound dreams.

In-Person Wellness Trainings for

IYT's Mentor Fellows

This past month, we had our first in person wellness event for our mentor fellows. During this wellness event they covered how to remain calm, stay focused, and enhance awareness. Additionally, our guest speaker Didier facilitated breathing exercises for the mind, body, and soul. We wrapped up the event with some sound therapy. This is the beginning of an amazing partnership with Light & Water, with more events to come!

Special shoutout to Donald Carter and Giovanni Davis for assisting at our event. FYI in the picture below I can assure you, no one is sleeping, they are practicing focus!

Donor Spotlight

Greenbridge Family Foundation Supports IYT's

New Bay Area Brotherhood

IYT’s brotherhood is growing to the Bay Area! This fall, we’ll be offering programs and services to young men of color across 10 schools within Vallejo City, Pittsburg, Liberty Union, and West Contra Costa Unified School Districts. To help support the 600 young men of color we’ll be able to serve in this region, our partners at Greenbridge Family Foundation have entrusted us with a grant of $25,000!

On behalf of IYT, we extend a huge thank you to Greenbridge Family Foundation for believing in our mission and the brilliant, passionate, and ambitious young men we serve.

IYT's Capitol Corner

Policy & Advocacy Team Goes to Washington

Members of the IYT Policy and Advocacy team traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Sacramento Metro Chamber's annual Capitol-to-Capitol program. Cap-to-Cap, as it is commonly known, is an annual advocacy trip, where Metro Chamber members travel to D.C. to meet with lawmakers and executive agencies to advocate for increased resources to the greater Sacramento region.

Sydney Lewis, Director of Policy and Advocacy, and Andrew Avila, Sacramento Policy and Advocacy Manager, participated in the Workforce and Education policy group, meeting with officials such as Congressman Ami Bera, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, U.S. Department of Education undersecretary James Kvaal, the majority and minority staff from the U.S. House Education committees, and more to ask for increased funding for K-12 and higher education programs.