2010 HONOREES

Youth Honorees

The transition from childhood to adulthood is often a precarious journey—filled with opportunity and risk. Adolescence can be a time of tremendous discovery and growth, as one develops towards independence. With proper guidance and support, young people explore their unique talents and interests; develop knowledge, skills, and aspirations; and acquire the relationships and connections that they will depend upon for a lifetime. Most young people, with the support of their families and community networks, make this transition successfully.

Unfortunately, there are also many young people in our communities who lack adequate nurturing, guidance, and support. For these youth, the risks of adolescence often overshadow the opportunities. And for too many, the result is that they enter adulthood with little hope or preparation for a successful future. City Youth Now bestows the Jesse E Williams III Memorial Scholarship and Sari Wade Memorial Scholarship upon two youth in the Juvenile Justice and Foster Care Systems who have successfully made the transition to adulthood. Learn more about this scholarship or recommend an honoree.

Youth Scholarships

The transition from childhood to adulthood is often a precarious journey—filled with opportunity and risk. Adolescence can be a time of tremendous discovery, growth, and developing independence. With proper guidance and support, young people explore their unique talents and interests; develop knowledge, skills, and aspirations; and acquire the relationships and connections that they will depend upon for a lifetime. Most young people, with the support of their families and community networks, make this transition successfully. Unfortunately, there are also many young people in our communities who lack adequate nurturing, guidance, and support. For these youth, the risks of adolescence often overshadow the opportunities. And for too many, the result is that they enter adulthood with little hope or preparation for a successful future. Every year City Youth Now awards two scholarships to deserving youth who have surpassed the odds to provide support and hope.

Sari Wade Memorial Scholarship

The Sari Wade Memorial Scholarship is bestowed upon a youth who was a ward of the San Francisco Foster Care System and who is continuing their education beyond high school. The scholarship was created in loving memory of Sari Wade, a former board member and Child Welfare Worker, who dedicated more than thirty-eight years to assist youth in the foster care system. One of Sari's many passions was the pursuit of higher education, so in her honor City Youth Now recognizes and awards an outstanding youth who has emancipated from the foster care system and is attending college or university.

The 2010 Sari Wade Memorial Scholarship was presented to Jockuela Ballard.

Jockuela is a young woman of remarkable perseverance and strength. At a young age, Jockuela's mother was not able to care for her because of chronic substance abuse. She soon moved in with her great-grandmother who raised her and her younger brother. When her great-grandmother became ill, Jockulela missed school to take care of everything. Her social worker, Anca Bujes, knew that young Jockuela deserved better care and placed Jockuela with her cheerleading coach. In this new placement, Jockuela began to thrive. She excelled in school, improved her GPA, and with the help of her foster family began researching colleges for Jockuela to attend. After extensive research, they found a small historical black college in North Carolina that is well suited to Jockuela's needs. She is now in her second year at Johnson C. Smith University where she continues to fulfill her dreams, Jockuela will be the first person in her family to complete college.

The Jesse E. Williams III Memorial Scholarship

The Jesse E. Williams III Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship for youth who are wards of the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department. It was established at the request of Jesse E. Williams, Jr., Chief Probation Officer of the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department from 1997 through 2003 in memory of his son, Jesse E. Williams III, who was the victim of a homicide.

We are pleased to present the 2010 Jesse E. Williams III Memorial Scholarship Presentation to Sharnice Collins.

Sharnice is a young woman who has overcome great loss and transformed her experiences into the stepping stone to a brighter future. Sharnice did not grow up with luxury or the comfort that many children of her excellence have. At the age of five her grandfather, the backbone of her family, passed away and her father was soon thereafter shot and killed. At the age of sixteen, she experienced loss again when her stepfather of eight years was gunned down outside their apartment in Sunnydale. Her stepfather was a loving father figure who had cared for Sharnice. This same year, Sharnice found herself entangled with the Juvenile Justice System. Unlike many young people who are detained at her age, Sharnice used this experience as an opportunity for change. Raised by a mother who pushed the importance of education, Sharnice excelled in school graduating with a 3.9 GPA at the end of her senior year of high school. She also became employed as a result the City Youth Now Internship Program by Precita Center where she helps younger children. In spite of all her losses, overcoming physical challenges, and her time on juvenile probation, Sharnice has come through as a successful young adult pursuing a college degree in Criminal Justice at San Francisco City College.

Past Honorees

Special thanks and congratulations to past Honorees and Outstanding Youth.