OUR PROGRAM'S IMPACT

In the words of a few program graduates...

"I will never forget this program. It really helped me learn how to solve problems, and how to deal with the world, but also how you can change things."

"I really don't believe I would have had the confidence to attend college and now law school had I not participated in the program."

"The program gave me the strength to believe in myself. I feel really grateful for the opportunities I have had from the Summer Legal Fellowship Program, because coming from Richmond, there are not a lot of positive people to look up to. There are not a lot of people for my community who have gone to college. This program has prepared me to to continue my education even if the road is bumpy, because 'I can.'"

"I feel like I am a new person... I feel like I have something to give back and something worthwhile saying."

Short video testimonials of some recent participants:

Keilah's Story

Juan's Story

Mykalia's Story

Our Video

You can view our video featuring candid, in-depth interviews and scenes of program activities here.

Evaluation Reports

To learn about specific skills and competencies that our participants develop, and read results of exit interviews, please see our recent evaluation reports:

Evaluation Report 2010

Evaluation Report 2009

Long-Term Impact

Between 1995 and 2010, almost 400 young people have graduated from our Summer Legal Fellowship Program, and we have remained in contact with approximately 75% of them. None of these youth has dropped out of high school, and of the graduates who have completed high school, more than 90% have attended higher education. Eight have attended law school, and four that we know of have pursued other types of graduate degrees. Of the eight who have attended law school, three are currently still attending and five have earned law degrees. Two of the graduates are members of the California Bar and have practiced law in California since 2008. As our graduates become role models for others in their community, the impact of our program becomes even greater.

Stories of a few Program Graduates

A few stories will help to illustrate the enduring transformations that can occur as a result of our program:

J. heard about our program when he was a student at Castlemont High School in Oakland. He had previously been involved with a gang, but was working hard to leave that life behind. He had not even thought about college or life after high school. One of his teachers and our staff encouraged him to participate in our 2004 Program. We arranged an internship for him at an office at Oakland City Hall, and he did so well that they hired him to continue working part-time after the summer ended. He still works there today while attending a local community college part-time, and plans to become a juvenile probation officer. In 2008, he sent us the following message:

"This program was the first step towards a new life for me... Before, college was far from my mind. After completing the program I made an emphasis to go. I'm still working at the location I was placed in as an intern... Without the program I wouldn't be here and I probably wouldn't be going to school. ...I can really say that the program was a life altering experience."

R. attended our program when she was 16. She had lived in and out of foster care since the age of 11 and was a student at an alternative public high school in West Oakland. In our program, she quickly displayed her sharp mind and interest in social justice. We placed her in an internship where she learned about political activism. Looking back on the program a few years later, she said:

"I feel that this program really changed my life. It made me see that even though I came from a poor background, I could still have a good future... The program showed me that there are ways to get people to listen to you, and to change things."

After high school, she attended Mills College in Oakland, where she graduated in 2006. She now works at a social service agency in Oakland, where she helps children who are facing similar challenges to those she faced growing up.

Dorian Peters participated in our program in 2000 and is now a practicing attorney in California. He wrote this letter recently about his experiences:



"When I was in high school, I had very little academic focus and motivation. My mother was going through tough times, forcing me to worry about basics such as having shelter and food. I had no plans to attend college. I learned about the Center for Youth Development through Law's program from a Street Law student teacher. At the time, I was particularly interested in the prospect of having a paid summer job. Little did I know, the program was much more than a summer job.

I remember a work skills class where I learned practical skills such as creating a strong resume and interviewing. I also remember a legal class where I learned the significance of landmark legal decisions, such as Brown v. Board of Education.

I was also placed in a summer internship at the US District Court of the Northern District of California in San Francisco. My experience was amazing. Being able to have access to real court proceedings and seeing real people perform their legal jobs motivated me to seek a career in law.

Since doing the program, I attended Diablo Valley College. I transferred to UC Berkeley and graduated in 2005. I subsequently attended Vanderbilt University Law School and I passed the California bar exam in 2008, and since then I have worked as a Deputy District Attorney.

I can say that I would not be where I am today had I not had the benefit of the Center for Youth Development through Law's program and the staff's continued support."

Dorian enjoys his work at the District Attorney's Office, and he often visits our program to volunteer and mentor current participants.