Your support directly helps Micah, Edith, and many others make better lives for themselves. This is what The Family School is all about: helping people help themselves.

Because of the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer the STRIVE program free of charge to the participants. On an individual basis it costs $2,500 to serve each STRIVE participant.

From a Boy to a Man
Micah arrived here at STRIVE full of unbridled energy. He is the product of a single parent home with the "all too often" story of no father. Born in Texas, he landed in Potrero Hill, one of the harshest neighborhoods in San Francisco, and was educated in the ways of the streets.

Micah remembers, "It wasn't tough doing the street thing, because I was taught at an early age that any and everything that happened in the street was fair. I was tough because I had to be. I was lucky too that I was never arrested, hurt or killed like some guys. It wasn't easy but I did graduate from high school and it was .a feat only three out of seven of my brothers and sisters accomplished. I'm proud of that."

In 2003, Micah walked into the STRIVE workshop not knowing what to expect. "I had no money and was receiving public assistance. It didn't take me long to learn that STRIVE was about discipline and hard work. The staff at STRIVE, helps you to develop your mind and they train you to be job ready. We learned how to stop letting your personal life get in the way of your business life. The class changed me and made me lake responsibility for ray own actions and my life."

During the second week of the class, STRIVE participants work on resumes, cover letters, computers and interviewing techniques.

"I made a resume I'm proud of and I used it, once I graduated, to land a city job with the San Francisco Housing Authority! I wanted to show the STRIVE staff and my fellow graduates that I'm a self-starter and a highly motivated individual. I'm now off public assistance. In the fall of 2003, I enrolled in City College of San Francisco. I'm on my way to getting a college degree."

"I got my ambition, hunger and dedication from the street but STRIVE helped me to combine it with professionalism and a winning attitude. STRIVE can help you but you have to want to help yourself. I know for me that STRIVE has been a great benefit. It helped me to come a long way!"

Before Edith came to The Family School she was out of work and had $200 to survive on for three weeks. Edith said "I've been crying every night; I just want to give up and go back to Mexico."

She had been desperately looking for work for several months without any success. Divorced and raising her son alone, she had moved from her home into an apartment with her family. She said she was worried about the cost of daycare, if she was lucky enough to find a job, because in her words "half of my check will go to the daycare."

After completing the intake process Edith decided to enroll in STRIVE. To assist with her child care challenge, her son was enrolled in The Family School Child Development Center at no cost during training. She completed the intense three week job-readiness training program with outstanding success.

Edith is now employed at Home Deport as a Sales Associate in the appliance department. She is earning $14.50 per hour and has full benefits that include medical, dental, vision, 401K, stock options and tuition assistance, which she plans to use in the future to further her education. Her son is still in the child development center and Edith has been set up on an affordable payment plan.