March Madness?? It was happily so for us at PILT last month!
The month started with Minori and Brayden kicking PILT's transitional phase into high gear as Minori took on more of Brayden's responsibilities for PILT. As PILT's Director of Outreach, a position held only by the CEO or a CEO-trainee, Minori diligently worked to expand PILT across the county, adding High Tech High - Mesa and Health Sciences High as our 14th and 15th partner schools, respectively.
March also saw the end of PILT's TAY project. Brayden dropped off donations from Helix Charter High, Mission Bay High, and Albert Einstein Charter Middle School to the YMCA's TAY Drop-In Center in Escondido on March 18th, and Kiara worked hard to solicit support for TAY from service organizations in North County.
On March 25th, PILT's leadership represented by Brayden, Camila, and Minori met with Mrs. Terilyn Burg, executive director of StandUp For Kids to discuss how best to support unsheltered teenagers going forward.
Albert Einstein Academies Charter Middle School
To support YMCA's transitional age foster youth, AEACMS's PILT-ers purchased shaving foam, shampoo, and conditioner with profits from their February donut sale. The quantity purchased was sufficient for 25 youth.
Mission Bay High School
PILT's deputy Cami, who is also the president of Mission Bay High's Outreach Club, rallied her club to donate socks to StandUp For Kids and two $25 Food-4-Less gift cards for the YMCA's TAY and unsheltered youth clients.
Health Sciences High School
We were honored to welcome Health Sciences High to PILT. Ms. Nica Hermosillo and her students will be visiting PATH San Diego's supportive housing site and interim shelter in May to participate in volunteer activities that would make a difference in the lives of many.
Helix Charter High School
Collaborating yet again with PILT, the Environmental Club launched a clothes drive to collect gently-used professional clothing for transitional age foster youth to attend job interviews. The club's executive committee collected 52 items, which were delivered to the TAY Drop-In Center in Escondido. We are grateful to the executive committee, EC club members, and club advisors Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Dagman, for their support.
Helix's schoolwide drive for TAY ended just before spring break. Brayden and Sophie collected over 1,300 items for our vulnerable TAY peers. Donations that were received in excess included 29 sleeping bags, 24 containers of body wash, and hygiene products. The sleeping bags were donated to StandUp For Kids while excess hygiene products went towards supporting PATH San Diego's interim housing clients.
High Tech High School - Mesa
We were honored to welcome High Tech High - Mesa ASB to partner with us. Ms. Brynn Vayda's and ASB members dedicated a day of their leadership week to volunteer at PATH San Diego's "Connections." They took a tour led by PATH's community affairs coordinator Ms. Hayley Bratt and assembled 70 lunches for PATH San Diego's interim housing residents, for which PATH and PILT are very grateful. Meanwhile, Ms. Ashley Champa, the newest member of PATH San Diego's community affairs team, worked with the school's internship/externship coordinator Mr. David Roney to explore weeklong volunteer opportunities in May for graduating seniors at PATH's various supportive housing sites. Brayden has also been in contact with PILT's partner organizations to inquire about weeklong volunteer options for High Tech High seniors.
As we move towards summer, PILT will be stepping into a new era affectionately dubbed "PILT 2.0." The "originals" -- Brayden, Camila, and Kiara -- will graduate high school and move on to college, leaving PILT in the hands of Minori and her team of PILTers. As we enter this new phase, we remember with gratitude and humility the support we have received from all of you. You make it possible for "a bunch of kids" to keep doing what they want to do -- to help build a more just and equitable society.
Go PILT!
-Brayden