I am a single parent mother and grandmother 23 little girls who know longer have a mother due to police misconduct and police brutality my child is dead she had no history of mental illness no criminal background whatsoever these children or lying only feet away from her when she was murdered right in front of them and we need help we have reached out to different organizations that are supposed to help with this kind of thing but there’s so many of them out there exploiting our children’s murders for profit I have no vehicle and I’m trying to raise a 16-year-old daughter and these three little girls by myself we have no support my parents died four months apart 16 years ago my only surviving relatives are very elderly I have a oldest daughter who is 35 and she helps in every way she can but I’ve got to have a vehicle I don’t care if the car has no paint no radio I can care less I just need a car that will safely get me and my children from point a to point B We are reaching out in hopes that you would help us sincerely Monique Wallace mother of Megan Marie Hockaday murdered March 28, 2015 but Oxnard police officer Roger Garcia who tried to murder another woman previously to killing my daughter he is still on the floors today we need help I have swallowed my pride I have no pride left I’m asking with all desperation and sincerity please help us
This organization succeeds where others are failing. YStrive is providing critical family, educational support, job training, and jobs to those in the community who are struggling and marginalized. YStive is a non-profit that is self governed and their efforts payoff in a real and big ways. YStive provides a pathway for success to those on the wrong path and they should be both supported and commended for their efforts!
As a community member who advocates for youth I have to rely on various nonprofits to fill the need of vital important roles. Roles such as moms, dads, older siblings, aunts, uncles, teachers and the list can go on... YStrive throughout the years has filled those roles and even in difficult times. Ive seen amazing nonprofits fold, but YStrive continues. I believe that there are a handful of nonprofits that deserve serious praise, and YStrive is on top of that list. Many of the youth I help with AOD issues, gang intervention, education, parenting, etc talk about YStrive as a proactive organization that in basic words, heard them, saw them, and made them feel included in society. This org is a beautiful org that works with humanistic ideology....and when working with ex-offenders or gang members, that is not always easy. They do a wonderful job. Love YStrive!
YStrive for Youth has had such a positive impact in my life. I learned about the program from a student and it was exactly what I was looking for - a positive story about a group that offers true support for parents and their children. Up to this point my only experience had been with an attempt to join the common parent group offered at the elementary school. This did not go well.
I was welcomed into YStrive for Youth with open arms. I knew of the injustices our children face and learned about these experiences first hand during our group meetings. I later became the parent coordinator with the hope to offer support for our families as I had been supported. The director and staff structured this group around mental health, community building, outreach, and education.
I started off as a single parent - my son is half my age. I graduated from UCSB with a Math degree and needed a path, I needed for someone to believe in me and to believe in my dreams. I also wanted to feel certain that my son could go to College regardless of our race and income level. I didn't understand the positive implications of attending college myself and what this meant for my family. I learned about this through our groups meetings.
I look around and attention to mental health is critical. Imagine if we had a group supporting all families in this way what a peaceful world we could create together.
YStrive is an amazing resource for me as a student and volunteer. I was referred to YStrive by a UCSB professor in 2015 and have been a member of the organization since. It was YStrive that enabled me to gain job experience, training and mentorship in the non-profit sector. For me, YStrive is more than just a great organization because my involvement with the organization changed my life. My participation in YStrive facilitated the development of positive self-perception and professional skills and has provided me a familial support base. Im so grateful to everyone at YStrive!
J.E.
I had the opportunity to work and serve as a board member for this amazing organization. Keith who is the Executive Director has molded this program from the ground up, and has changed tons of lives, including mines! Youth that are normally denied jobs because of their past come to YSTRIVE and are given a second chance, and tons of support. The time and efforts that are put into this program is unbelievable. Keith does whatever he can, and always goes way beyond to help the youth. This is a one of the kind non-profit that I can't wait to see it grow and flourish even more. YSTRIVE also believes in making sure the youth have a great education, and helps keep the youth off the street. Everyone can benefit from YSTRIVE, and this organization has even made an impact on it's surrounding community! With being a non-profit organization it can use all the help financially to keep this amazing program running and to change more lives!