Real Stories.
Real Change.
Freedom2Succeed empowers at-promise youth across San Diego County through creative learning, mentorship, and project-based education. Our programs honor students’ lived experiences and help them develop skills, confidence, and ambitions for their futures.
The stories and results below come from our 10-week program with the San Diego County Office of Education’s Juvenile Court & Community Schools (JCCS). Student names and images are not shared for their protection.
Teacher Feedback:
100% rated tutor instruction Good to Excellent
100% found materials culturally relevant
88% saw instruction meet diverse student needs
Student Outcomes:
96% found the program meaningful
91% would recommend the program
92% felt the instructor created an inclusive environment
100% learned a new skill or improved existing skills
83% are confident applying what they learned
Voices of Students & Teachers
Student reflections:
“Thank you for helping me.”
“Keep doing what you are doing. It’s helping change people’s lives.”
“I learned many things about how to use the computer.”
Teacher feedback:
“There was genuine engagement observed.”
“Students had fun, built community, and improved writing.”
“I saw students getting excited about the chance to improve their skills and creativity.”
Standout Achievements
Skill development identified by teachers:
Use of technology, reading, writing, and teamwork
Self-reflection, self-expression, and goal-setting
Product development, narrative writing, modeling, and tech skills
Student accomplishments:
A student wrote to a Nike® recruiter, aligning his creativity and focus with his goal of becoming a shoe engineer.
A student interested in music reached out to UCSD’s music department to learn more about career paths.
Another contacted Target® recruitment, explaining her strengths and interest in customer success.
One student discovered a passion for aviation and contacted a local flying club for mentorship.
Student Simulations
Students used their lived experiences to build role-playing simulations that reinforced responsible decision-making:
Overcoming overdose: One youth created a first-person simulation showing the choices and consequences that led to his drug overdose — including how friends can respond in a crisis.
Social media pressures: Another team built a simulation about the dangers of online bullying and the pressure to fit in, showing the consequences of negative online behavior.
Gang Activity: Would-be gang members described through decision times the choices and consequences they faced in responding to gang activity.
