The Higher Pathways program complements SJLI’s Urban Scholars curriculum and support services with a robust series of college access, workforce development activities, career path development, employment placement, and persistence engagement.

For many students, selecting the right path after high school can be overwhelming. Higher Pathways services our 18- to 24-year-old population with three tailored tracks—College Pathway to Success, Career Pathway Development, and Pathways Supportive Services—that provide the resources and personalized guidance needed to eliminate barriers. Our holistic approach not only equips students with the tools to navigate adversity positively but also reshapes their educational, career, and life trajectories.

Supporting the student pipeline from secondary to post-secondary education, SJLI hosted its 2nd Annual A Different World, a three-day college immersion program at California State University, Fullerton. Fifty-six students received the skills and tools needed to succeed in the coming year and beyond. 

New high school graduates received a deep dive into time management, understanding syllabi, maintaining healthy study habits, and accessing campus resources for academic advising and community building. We supported rising seniors by covering key topics such as A-G requirements, UC vs CSU systems, college application timelines, essay writing, scholarship applications, and the components of effective letters of recommendation. Workshops were led by our Higher Pathways team, while CSU Fullerton staff and administration provided tours, campus housing, and insights into college resources. 

According to our post-workshop survey, 71% of students expressed excitement about starting college, and 72% felt more prepared for the transition. “I learned to dream big,” said one student. “I learned how to apply for college classes, what to do to support myself, and how to find resources on campus that will help me reach my goals of finishing college and starting my career,” said another.

Our students can take their next steps with confidence, knowing that the Higher Pathways program is here to support them every step of the way.

This summer, our commitment to health equity blossomed with vibrant community engagement and impactful collaborations. We were delighted to host the renowned Do Good Bus and Playboy at our Inglewood headquarters, where they joined our garden revitalization efforts. Together, we transformed the space, creating a welcoming and colorful forked walkway adorned with personal touches like handprints, polka dots, hearts, and sun rays.

Their visit went beyond gardening; they also partnered with us to support LA County Parks and Cal Fresh Healthy Living during the Summer Parks After Dark events. With their help, we sorted and filled 200 bags of produce—an impressive 3,800 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. This allowed us to serve 800 people in a single day, providing each family of four with a nourishing bag of produce.

Our summer activities also included the annual Rogers Park Summer Camp class series, where we introduced young campers to nutrition education through interactive games. Highlights of the program featured a relay race to build a "Choose My Plate" food model and cooking demonstrations where the children created healthy treats using fresh fruits like strawberries, cherries, and grapes.

The Seed Library program, in collaboration with the Inglewood Public Library, continues to thrive. We offer a wide variety of seeds from Queen Park Learning Garden and other community contributors, empowering residents to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Our monthly workshops further support this initiative by teaching urban gardening techniques and practical uses for home-grown produce.

As grantees of both the LA Food Equity Fund and Freedom Farms initiative— part of Partnership for Growth LA—we are excited to embark on a transformative project to enhance our urban garden. With the addition of 30 solar-powered hydroponic towers in our back garden, we’ll soon be able to grow 840 plants at once. This microgarden will provide fresh produce to our neighbors and local small grocery businesses, making nutritious foods more accessible to our community.

A special thanks to SBTG Seedlings for donating seedlings and helping us acquire the towers through Tower Garden. With their support, our hydroponic towers are now ready to be filled with a plethora of seeds. 

The transformative experiences of last year’s Youth Justice Fellowship cohort have us eagerly anticipating what lies ahead. The fellows embarked on a remarkable journey to Cuba, where they deepened their understanding of community safety, social justice, and systemic change. This immersive cultural exchange offered them invaluable insights into Afro-Cuban culture, food sovereignty, and the intersections of race and spirituality.

In February 2024, alongside six dedicated SJLI team members, our 10 fellows delved into Cuba’s rich heritage and contemporary realities. They engaged with the award-winning rumba ensemble The Rumba All Stars, participated in a profound discussion with Afro-Cuban journalist Roberto Zurbano, and visited the Hermanos Los Cabrales y Los Primos farm to explore herbal medicine traditions. Watch the video below to see how these experiences provided them with firsthand knowledge and inspiration.

As we shift our focus to the new cohort, we are excited to welcome another diverse group of exceptional young leaders, chosen from over 60 applicants. Each fellow brings a unique blend of expertise in policy and advocacy, with backgrounds ranging from advanced degrees in social justice fields to hands-on experience in community organizing. Having completed their orientation, these future leaders are now prepared to tackle complex issues surrounding economic justice and community safety.

This year’s cohort will continue the legacy of their predecessors with a global solidarity tour to Cuba in January 2025, hosted in partnership with Regla Soul. Fellows will immerse themselves in Cuban history, culture, and agricultural practices, directly connecting these insights to their research.

The journey ahead promises to be both academically rigorous and deeply personal. The Youth Justice Fellowship will cultivate transformative connections through their shared journey, creating cherished memories and impactful collaborations as they push the boundaries of social justice and community engagement.