My Why: I am creating a legacy of positive community impact and disruption of the school to prison pipeline. My community invested in me and in return I want to help young men of color overcome the societal barriers designed to keep them impoverished and uneducated. Due to the support I received I was able to overcome those same barriers.
Building Brotherhood Through
Bay Area Adventures
SF brothers at The Escape Game San Francisco
This August, our Bay Area brothers stepped out of the classroom and into new experiences that pushed them to grow and rely on one another. At The Escape Game San Francisco, they huddled together—debating clues, cracking codes, and celebrating every small win as a team.
The group also cheered side by side at the SF Giants game, laughing at inside jokes and swapping stories between innings. Over burritos at Chipotle, the conversations turned reflective—about school, about family, about what’s next. These moments of fun and fellowship aren't just about baseball or food; they build trust, remind brothers they’re not alone, and strengthened the bonds that carry them through challenges.
Brothers eating and relaxing in the sun at Oracle Park, San Francisco Giants vs Miami Marlins.
Strikes, Swings, and Silver Screens
The story continued with more Bay Area adventures—this time trading textbooks for bowling shoes, mini golf clubs, and movie tickets!
SF Brothers at Mission Bowling Club.
SF Brothers at Subpar Mini Golf (shout out to Jesse Sanders who finished with the best score).
Brother of the Month
Hassan Woodward
8th Grade, Aptos Middle School
IYT at Aptos Middle School is thrilled to recognize 8th grader Hassan Woodward as our August Brother of the Month! Hassan consistently distinguishes himself as a leader, setting a positive and welcoming tone within our program. He demonstrates a respectful attitude and is always one of the first to offer a helping hand during activities. Hassan’s commitment to not only his own success but also to making the IYT space a supportive community for everyone is truly inspiring. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
Grant Announcements
Ross Stores Foundation Invests in Bay Area Youth
We are thrilled to share that the Ross Stores Foundation has awarded Improve Your Tomorrow a generous grant to expand our College Academy program in the Bay Area. This investment will directly support mentorship, academic coaching, social-emotional learning, and family engagement for more than 100 young men of color at high-need schools. With the Foundation’s partnership, we will reduce chronic absenteeism, improve college eligibility, and ensure more first-generation students are prepared to thrive in higher education. We are deeply grateful to the Ross Stores Foundation for helping us build brighter futures and close the college achievement gap.
Kimball Foundation Helps IYT Double Impact in San Francisco and Marin
We are deeply grateful to the Kimball Foundation for their investment in IYT’s College Academy program in San Francisco and Marin. With their support, we nearly doubled the number of students served in our first full year, added new Mentor Fellows, and expanded college tours—giving many brothers their very first experience on a college campus. The Foundation’s partnership has strengthened family engagement, deepened individualized mentorship, and inspired greater student confidence and school participation. Thanks to the Kimball Foundation, more young men of color are building lasting connections, believing in their academic journeys, and taking meaningful steps toward college success.
Upcoming Events
Know a Business That Belongs in the Community Champions Circle?
We’re looking for local businesses to sponsor IYT programs at Bay Area schools through our Community Champions initiative. If you know a business that’s passionate about education and equity, we’d love an introduction!
We extend our profound gratitude to two of our most dedicated champions in the Bay Area: Tipping Point Community and Crankstart. Their significant financial support and shared vision for a more equitable future are fundamental to our program's success. The generosity of these two organizations directly fuels our ability to provide consistent, high-impact mentorship and resources to our students. Thank you, Tipping Point Community and Crankstart, for being such incredible partners in this vital work.
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