SUCCESS STORIES

Naveh Pilates

Naveh Pilates was the 2007 recipient of the Jesse E. Williams III Scholarship. Naveh is a young woman who is highly motivated to continue making the changes and choices needed to transition into a self-sufficient and responsible adult. At age 14, Naveh's world changed forever when her father committed suicide. At the time she was too proud, confused, and alone to ask for help or guidance. Instead, Naveh turned to a life of drugs, cutting classes, attending parties and spending time on the streets. She eventually entered the delinquency system and was in and out on different occasions. Upon her release, her stepfather, the man who had raised her since she was 5 years old, left because of her mother. So, once again, just two years after her father's death, Naveh was alone. She felt a void in her life that could not be filled.

Instead of returning to the activities that lead to her incarceration in the past, Naveh entered the foster care system and enrolled in her first college courses at the age of 16. She began volunteering her time at ILSP and Larkin Street, as well as the Guardian Scholars Club, French Club, Aid for Disabled Students, MESA Club, and Honor's Program. Naveh currently attends Solano Community College and City College of San Francisco. She has used her past as momentum for success in her future. She has bought and sold her first car, obtained her first apartment, and has learned how to be a successful independent adult. In the summer, she will be attending the University of Hawaii's summer outreach program to continue her study of linguistics and begin working towards her masters degree in second language studies, so that she may advocate for disadvantaged youth around the globe. As Naveh says, "I see that the ugliness of my past is what I like to call 'fertilizer' for my blooming future."

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