Updates

In February 2022, JCYC will once again launch the Thomatra Scott Scholarship Fund in honor of Black History Month. The goal of this scholarship fund is to help our Black youth pursue higher education.

Last year JCYC was able to award college scholarship funding to 15 of our outstanding Black youth participants in 2021 based on their academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need.

Donate this Black History Month by clicking here to help us carry on Scotty’s legacy as an advocate for education and human rights issues.

Please note, on JCYC’s donation page, please select the Thomatra Scott Scholarship in the dropdown options. You can also mail a check to JCYC (2012 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA 94115), directing it for the Thomatra Scott Scholarship.

August 20, 2021

JCYC would like to give a big shout out to a San Francisco Japantown and internationally present business that has set a forward-thinking example of solidarity and generosity – Matcha Café Maiko – better known as Matcha Café!

Matcha Café first entered JCYC’s radar when owner Chris Chin reached out to JCYC in 2018 with interest in hosting a fundraiser for JCYC, as part of Matcha Café’s opening weekend in San Francisco’s Japantown. Chris had diligently researched the local businesses and agencies in the area, and JCYC was fortunate that our mission resonated with Chris. Matcha Café’s opening weekend in 2018 raised $1,500 for JCYC’s child and youth participants.

Matcha Café and Chris did not stop there. In 2019, JCYC reached out to Chris to hold a similar fundraiser for JCYC’s College Access Programs. This one-day fundraiser raised over $750; however, Chris generously rounded up the total and granted JCYC $1,000. Chris did the same with JCYC’s latest Matcha Café fundraiser, which was for JCYC’s Thomatra Scholarship Fund (a scholarship program for JCYC’s most outstanding Black youth participants), when he once again rounded up the over $750 we raised again during our one-day fundraiser to $1,000!

Chris and the Matcha Café team set a high bar that we as individuals and businesses should all strive for – thoughtfulness, selflessness, warmth, and solidarity – even during the tough times and adversity we have all faced, in one way or another, over the past year and a half. THANK YOU Matcha Café for continuing to demonstrate your leadership as stewards of solidarity and generosity in our community.

If you are looking to enjoy delicious Matcha treats, in all sorts and sizes, and want to support an amazing business, please check out Matcha Café here https://www.matchacafe-maiko.com/eng/!

JCYC is excited to announce our 2021 JCYC Scholarship Program winners! Thanks to the generous support JCYC received from our 2020 SF Aloha Run for Black Lives, we are able to continue shaping the lives of our outstanding middle and high school youth participants, by making the dream of a college degree a reality. We are proud to award college scholarship funding through the JCYC Scholarship Program for our 22 General Scholarship Program winners and 15 Thomatra Scott Scholarship Fund winners! These combined 37 scholarships, which make up our 2021 JCYC Scholarship Program, were awarded based on academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need of our outstanding youth participants.

JCYC’s decision to establish the JCYC Scholarship Program in 2016 was motivated by the unfortunate reality that the cost of attending college continues to be a major barrier for students, particularly those from low-income households who are hoping to be the first from their family to attend college. Also, due to the unfortunate financial and social barriers JCYC’s Black youth participants continue to face today, JCYC’s Inaugural Thomatra Scott Scholarship Fund, which is now an integral part of the JCYC Scholarship Program, is JCYC’s act of solidarity to help bridge the gap, lower the barriers, and create equal opportunity for our outstanding Black youth participants who are pursuing a college degree. This scholarship funding will help lower the financial barrier of attending college (e.g. books, room and board, tuition, and beyond) and will allow our scholarship winners to establish firm grounding on their path to a college degree by not needing to find paid work during their first semester or year in college.

JCYC hopes to continue expanding these scholarship programs through funds raised from our upcoming 2021 SF Aloha Run for Solidarity – the in-person event will take place on Sunday, October 17th at Crissy Field in San Francisco and the virtual side is from Sunday, October 17th through Sunday, October 24th from any US or international location. Please register for our 2021 SF Aloha Run for Solidarity here https://raceroster.com/events/2021/49814/sf-aloha-run-for-solidarity, and create a running-walking team and fundraise to help us raise funds for our 2022 JCYC General Scholarship Program and Thomatra Scott Scholarship Fund!

Meet our 2021 JCYC Scholarship Program winners below, and meet a few of our winners by checking out our winner profiles, which are included in this Up Close article!

2021 JCYC Scholarship Program Winners

General Scholarship – High School Recipients

Siyani Bell, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program & San Francisco YouthWorks, Gateway High School

Maceo Carney, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program & San Francisco YouthWorks, Jefferson High School

Rafael Cenzano, Asian Youth Prevention Services, Japantown Youth Leaders, & Tomodachi Summer Program, Lowell High School

Pamela Cruz, San Francisco College Access Center, George Washington High School

Mia Gibb, Educational Talent Search & Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Phillip & Sala Burton High School

Wendy Huang, Upward Bound & Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Balboa High School

Wendy Lam, Educational Talent Search, Balboa High School

May Li, Educational Talent Search & Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Phillip & Sala Burton High School

Yinghao Thomas Lin, Educational Talent Search, Galileo High School

Andrew Lin, Educational Talent Search, George Washington High School

Kelvin Mejia De Paz, San Francisco College Access Center, Mission High School

Jaime Robles Jr., Educational Talent Search & San Francisco College Access Center, Jefferson High School

Dejohn Thompson, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program & San Francisco YouthWorks, Gateway High School

Ana Villareal, Upward Bound & Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Mission High School

Daisa Watkins, San Francisco YouthWorks, City Arts & Technology High School

Zhiyan Wei, Upward Bound, Thurgood Marshall High School Caiyan Yang, Upward Bound & San Francisco YouthWorks, Galileo High School

General Scholarship – 529 Recipients

Kenneth Barron, Educational Talent Search, James Denman Middle School

Francesca Jayne Legaspi, Educational Talent Search, T.R. Pollicita Middle School

Dereck Quezada, Educational Talent Search, James Denman Middle School

Zen Wold, Educational Talent Search, Roosevelt Middle School

Nicholas Walters, Educational Talent Search, Aptos Middle School

Thomatra Scott Scholarship – Graduating Senior Recipients

Maylee Brigham, San Francisco YouthWorks, Jefferson High School

Maceo Carney, San Francisco YouthWorks & Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Jefferson High School

Ava Clark, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Gateway High School

Aaliyah Evans, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program & San Francisco YouthWorks, Leadership High School

Maeket Gebersamuel, San Francisco YouthWorks & Educational Talent Search, Galileo High School

Samir Hooker, San Francisco YouthWorks, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

Ahlaya Martin, San Francisco YouthWorks & Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Gateway High School

Daisa Watkins, San Francisco YouthWorks, City Arts & Tech High School

Messiah Williams, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Raoul Wallenberg High School

Thomatra Scott Scholarship – 529 Recipients

Jalliah Butler, Educational Talent Search, Phillip & Sala Burton High School

Andrew Davis, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, George Washington High School

Gianna Posey, Educational Talent Search, James Denman Middle School

Zion Sharpe, San Francisco College Access Center, Aptos Middle School

Isabella Tucker, Mayor’s Youth Employment and Education Program, Gateway High School Aniah Whitley, Educational Talent Search, James Denman Middle School

To learn more about the JCYC Scholarship Program, please contact JCYC Human Resources Manager Emily Thayer at ethayer@jcyc.org or JCYC’s Black Equity Task Force at blackequitytaskforce@jcyc.org. Also, for more information on this year’s SF Aloha Run for Solidarity, please contact JCYC Development Manager Tony Jenks at tjenks@jcyc.org or get your registration and fundraising started here https://raceroster.com/events/2021/49814/sf-aloha-run-for-solidarity.

To download a complete version, click here.

In 2017, I started my article by writing that we must tell “our children that when they face challenges and struggles in their life, it is important that we do not simply blame others.” Unfortunately, over the past four years, the partisan politics in this country went from bad to agonizingly toxic. The finger pointing and blame game reached unbearable levels and accepting responsibility was not even a consideration for some of our so called “leaders” in this country.

One of the very worst examples of the finger pointing occurred when the COVID-19 virus began to spread in the United States. Instead of focusing solely on how to contain the virus, the former President prioritized a calculated public messaging campaign to minimize the administration’s accountability for the pandemic and deflect blame onto China. The President of the United States would proceed to hurl racial epithets such as China virus and Kung flu to describe COVID-19 in the hopes that the American public would not notice the epic failures of his administration in how they were handling the pandemic.

As months went by and the pandemic worsened, the pain, suffering and frustration continued to build to intolerable levels. Rather than following scientific data, the advice of experts, and ways to work together as Americans, the former President continued his relentless messaging campaign to target who to blame for the virus. Tragically for the Asian American community, many in this country are unwilling to distinguish between Asian ethnic groups or between Asian Americans and Asian nationals. The result of the former President’s efforts to side-step accountability and cling to power was to effectively pour gasoline over a bursting pressure cooker of pain and Asian Americans were collateral damage.

Although the former President has been removed from office, the impacts of his rhetoric and those who enabled him persist and continue to unleash a tidal wave of violence towards Asian Americans. It must be noted that while we have a new President, many of those who defended this derogatory finger pointing remain in positions of power. In September of 2020, Representative Grace Meng of New York introduced a symbolic resolution before Congress condemning all forms of anti-Asian racism which have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this resolution which had no funding or policies attached to it, 164 Republican members of Congress voted against it.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California called the bill a “waste of time” and went on to say, “at the heart of this resolution is the absurd notion that referring to the virus as a Wuhan virus or the China virus is the same as contributing to violence against Asian Americans.”

In my 2017 article, I wrote that “we must demonstrate to our children that humanity and empathy are values which are vital for a just and free society.” It is abundantly clear that we still have an immense amount of work to do in America. Many political figures today use a messaging tactic known as effective frequency. The concept is well known by advertisers and the strategy is to produce simple messages and repeat them often enough until they leak into people’s heads. As adults, we try to teach our children that they have to be accountable for their actions and yet many of our leaders are willing to turn a blind eye and deflect any responsibility for the inflamed rhetoric that has led to thousands of acts of violence. To everyone who was involved or complicit in lighting the match of hate, you do not get a pass on all the predictable damage that has resulted.

However, despite the dire situation for Asian Americans and other communities of color, there is reason for hope. In 2017, I wrote “it is imperative that we remind our children that decisions are made by those who show up.” The one true silver lining from the past four years is that our country once again appreciates how precious and vital it is to participate in our democracy. I am heartened and inspired by the renewed enthusiasm and passion for voting especially among our younger generations. This movement gives me hope that despite the efforts of some to suppress voter participation, there is now a much greater understanding that when a high percentage of Americans turn out to vote, this country usually makes the right decisions.

I’d also like to share my thoughts on diversity from the 2017 article. At the time I wrote, “we should reiterate to our children that our diversity is one of the many attributes that makes this country great. Our differences should be celebrated and cherished and never used to divide us.” As we contemplate how to address the current violence towards Asian Americans, the killing of unarmed Black people and the systemic racism that continues to infect this country, it is vital that we impress upon our children a message of solidarity. There are individuals in every community who will commit racist acts, and as I shared in 2017, we must never generalize and attribute the misdeeds of a few to an entire group of people. There will always be those who try to divide communities of color, but by standing with one another, we have the power to push back and make progress towards a just and equitable society.

Lastly, as I shared four years ago, regardless of who you are, no one has permission to disrespect or make anyone the target of hate. We have a long road to healing in this country, but if the adults in this country can get our act together and serve as decent, accountable role models, I have absolutely no doubt that our children will one day lead this country the way it should be.

Download the full article here.

On Saturday, April 17th, JCYC co-sponsored the launch of the San Francisco Campaign for Solidarity at San Francisco Civic Center Plaza. JCYC partnered with the SF Human Rights Commission, Stand Together SF and other groups from the Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Latinx, American Indian and multicultural communities to stand together against racist hate and violence.

This unity event featured healing spaces and family-friendly activities, including volunteers who helped assemble 1,000 Solidarity Kits to inspire, inform and nourish our neighbors across the city.

JCYC’s staff and youth participants organized an origami Hearts For Love table to engage attendees in the movement created by Japantown small business, Paper Tree, gathered written testimonials of solidarity, and helped support the logistics of the event.

JCYC Executive Director Jon Osaki, who attended the event, was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle: “We can’t allow influences in this country to continue to divide us.” Learn more about the event by reading the San Francisco Chronicle’s article, “Racial unity campaign for Asian and Pacific Islander communities kicks off in S.F.”, here https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Hundreds/kick/off/racial/unity/event/to/support/16109137.php.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the San Francisco Campaign for Solidarity, please contact JCYC Development Manager Tony Jenks at tjenks@jcyc.org or (415) 806-1909.

Download the full Up Close article here.

In honor of Black History Month, JCYC is proud to announce the launch of the new Thomatra Scott Scholarship! A former JCYC staff member, Thomatra Scott or “Scotty” was an advocate for youth in education, housing, employment, human rights, prison reform, and racial justice until his passing in 2000. Scotty was a true symbol of peace, unity, and activism, and JCYC is thrilled to launch this scholarship for Black youth who exemplify his legacy.

Scotty acted as an important bridge between the African American and Japanese American communities in San Francisco’s Western Addition. In 1969, at the height of the Black Power era, Scotty joined the Pan-African People’s Organization (PAPO) and served as a youth program coordinator for the Economic Opportunities Council’s (EOC) Multi-service Center.

Scotty recognized that the challenges for many Black youth was a direct result of a poor educational system and he counseled hundreds of boys being released from detention centers to enroll in remedial reading courses. In addition, Scotty was a founding member of the Westside Mental Health Center and a member of the Western Addition Council of Youth Serving Organizations.

In the twilight of his career, Scotty took a position with JCYC as a community organizer focused on preventing youth substance abuse. JCYC Executive Director, Jon Osaki, reflects on Scotty’s personal impact on himself and the community. “I happen to be at JCYC the day I turned 18 and Scotty was in the office. When he heard it was my 18th birthday, he pointed his finger at me and gestured me to come over. As I approached, he greeted me with his warm smile and stuck a voter registration form in my hand. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about the importance of participating in the political process, but he was not about to let me leave that day until I had registered to vote. For the first time, it made me think about the importance of standing up and making sure my voice was counted. All of us at JCYC are honored to launch a scholarship in Scotty’s name and cannot think of an indiviudal more worthy.”

JCYC is requesting donations to support Black youth who demonstrate a passion for supporting education and the community by donating to the Thomatra Scott Scholarship, https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/JCYC and selecting the Thomatra Scott Scholarship in the dropdown section at the top of the donation page. You can also donate by mailing a check to JCYC (2012 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA 94115), directing it for the Thomatra Scott Scholarship. For more information, please contact JCYC Development Manager Tony Jenks at tjenks@jcyc.org or (415) 806-1909.

Download the full Up Close article here.

Established in 2011, and now in its 10th year, the SF Aloha Run annually takes place at San Francisco’s scenic Crissy Field. For the health and safety of our participants, this year’s SF Aloha Run will be a virtual 10K or 5K run/walk between Saturday, September 26 – Sunday, October 4 from any US location. To stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, the 2020 run has been titled, SF Aloha Run for Black Lives.

JCYC hopes to contribute to this global movement by engaging runners and walkers throughout the country in lifting up hope and support for Black Lives. The SF Aloha Run for Black Lives will feature a robust social media campaign which features messages of solidarity and justice from runners and walkers across the US.

Proceeds from the run will be donated to Black Girls Code, the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center, and to provide scholarships for low-income, first generation college students. This is a unique opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to stand up for Black Lives by participating in a positive and healthy activity. Join us by registering today here https://sfaloharun.org/, and help us raise funds by creating and sharing your individual fundraising page with your networks. Our top six fundraisers will win roundtrip airline tickets courtesy of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines! Also, follow the SF Aloha Run on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/sfaloharun/ and Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/sfaloharun/ for key updates and fun challenges that will take place and prizes that will be awarded during the SF Aloha Run for Black Lives!

If you have any questions or are interested in joining us as a sponsor, please contact JCYC Development Manager Tony Jenks at tjenks@jcyc.org or (415) 806-1909.

Download the full Up Close article here.