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Jeremy Konaris ‘02
“Going to museums and plays with achieve broadened me culturally. Socially it helped me because most people assume that I just like sports and music, but find it surprising that I appreciate different things.”

Ryan Sims ‘03
“The best thing about achieve is the mentality that everyone will succeed. If you WILL yourself to succeed then you WILL! ”

Rosa Magana ‘06
“achieve has served as a substitute parent and mentor, introducing me to the theater, art, community service, and possible careers. It has expanded my knowledge of the possibilities and options that are out there.”

Rosi Rodriquez ‘06
“achieve has challenged me to reach my full potential of being a bright, altruistic, competent young Mexican American woman.”

Devon Burnett ’05
“Being a part of achieve helped me improve my communication and people skills. I learned the importance of networking, staying in touch, and to always make a great first impression.”

Diana Perez ’05
“The achieve staff really does care about each student — not only while you are in high school, but beyond. They give you the support to insure that the success you had in high school will continue through college.”

Gladys Martinez ‘10
“What I find most helpful about achieve is that I always have someone at my back, pushing me towards the edge of a cliff. So far, I’m almost able to fly off that cliff with the help of achieve.”

Karen Gonzalez ‘07
“The achieve cultural events have helped me to realize that there is a whole world out there to discover beyond the comfort of my home. ”

Alberto Martinez ‘08
“Overall, I think the best thing about being in achieve is becoming a part of a new family and having new brothers and sisters.”

Eia Gardner ‘09
“achieve has instilled in me characteristics that I will need in the future: to speak up for myself, to stand up for what is right, to accept change, and to be bold in every situation that I face. ”

Michael Lech ‘08
“The single most life-changing experience that I have had since being in achieve is knowing that I can succeed if I set my mind to it. ”

Martin Marquez ‘08
“I truly feel that achieve is a family--- my family. I can always talk to my achieve brothers and moderators because I know that they are there for me and they are there to listen to what I have to say.”

Alyssia Smith ‘09
“I like the fact that achieve gives young minorities a chance to succeed in life and beat the odds.”

Teresa Hartwell ‘10
“achieve is like an extra parent. It keeps you on top of your school business and pushes you to your potential.”

Katia Garcia ‘10
“The best thing about being in achieve is that we have someone other than our parents to go to for help. Achieve is like one loving family.”

Mirasol Moncada ‘08
“achieve motivates me to reach my academic potential by providing me with solutions to my problems and having unending faith in me.”

Mia Henderson-Bonilla ‘08
“The most helpful thing about being in achieve is the sense of a community. At the beginning of freshman year, everyone is new, then by senior year everyone has created a bond that makes the achieve community so strong.”

Erika Rosas ‘09
“The best part of being in achieve is that it helps us become aware of our strengths and capabilities—but not only that, we learn how to use our strengths to help ourselves and to help others.”

Corrina Ramos ‘10
“achieve shows me that school is the key to your future and that it is very important to always give 100% in everything that you do.”

Chiandra Lewis ‘08
“I think the one particular thing I have gained from my achieve experience that will help me most in the future is knowing that it feels good to give back.”

Dani Erves ‘07
“Being in achieve has given my future a jumpstart and the tools I need to succeed.”

Johanna Vargas ‘07
“Confidence in myself has been the most valuable gift the achieve experience has given me. The belief in myself that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to will help me do my best in life.”

Valeria Navea ‘08
“achieve has taught me to always try my best and to truly believe in myself. When others see that confidence, they too will believe in you.”

Elizabeth Abundis ‘08
“achieve has made me more confident and taught me the importance of finding a passion. How beautiful and fulfilling it is to do what you love!”
Overview

achieve is a year-round, four-year high school scholarship and enrichment program for under served students from low-income families. By providing both a quality education and extensive individual support, achieve increases the options and opportunities of its students. While some students entering achieve students have academic challenges, all of the young men and women selected for the program are strongly motivated to put forth maximum effort to change and improve their lives.

Currently achieve serves over 60 students and has a staff of four including two educators dedicated to supporting and mentoring the students. The young men in the program attend Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco, and the young women attend Mercy High School in San Francisco and Holy Names High School in Oakland.

Although the tuition grants enable the students to attend private schools, the most important aspect of the program is the support given to the students throughout their four years. Academic assessment, tutoring, mentoring, after school programs, cultural excursions, summer internships and parent support are just some of the services provided to insure that achieve students do not “slip through the cracks” and are prepared to succeed in college.

achieve’s mission embraces more than academic excellence. By broadening the horizons of these young men and women through cultural, career and community service experiences, they emerge as young adults equipped with the tools necessary to lead better lives.