Success Stories

Hip Hop 360 Success Story

Bruce is eleven (11) years old and a sixth grader at Fischer Middle School (in East San Jose that serves many high-risk youth). Bruce heard about Hip Hop 360's after-school dance workshops and decided to check it out. He immediately showed his natural affinity for the world of Hip Hop and quickly demonstrated his passion for dance. One year later, Bruce demonstrated his leadership skills by stepping up as a volunteer for the program. He also took the initiative to start his own dance crew with friends he made through Hip Hop 360's dance workshops.


Soon Bruce and his friends started spending most of their extra time together practicing and honing their break¬dancing skills. The group of enthusiastic boys even sought out extra instruction from Hip Hop 360's dance instructors, and as a result the staff have personally taken the crew under their wings.


Through hard work, a lot of practice, and a renewed sense of confidence, Brandon's crew has performed at many community events and is making their presence known in the community.


Bruce has also continued to stay connected with the staff and has stepped up and asked for more leadership roles in the program. He continues to help students who need extra assistance and assists staff by helping lead the group dance workshops. Hip Hop 360 has given Bruce the confidence and pride to be successful. As a result he received second place prize in a local Science Fair and enlisted peers to help his school on the School Clean-Up Day.


"I went to the Hip Hop 360 summer program. It changed a lot of things for me. It kept me off the streets and kept me away from the bad influence of other people."
-Bruce

 


THP-Plus Success Story

For the past thirteen years Yasmine grew up in the foster care system, where she received little guidance or attention. After she emancipated from the foster care system, she moved in with her sister and had no solid direction in life.


She never dreamed of living on her own. And yet within two years of entering Unity Care's THP-Plus Program, Yasmine received the support from case managers that gave her four simple guidelines to help her gain her footing. She maintained her grades at school, kept staff updated on her activities every week, went to work and saved a fixed percentage of her paycheck for rent. The program provides an affordable, safe and secure living environment at the Unity Place apartment complex.


Today, Yasmine eagerly participates in the life-skills workshops and has a greater sense of independence and self-reliance. She is pursuing an education in cosmetology and looks forward to learning new skills through THP-Plus. Most of all, she now has a better and brighter picture of how she can shape her life.


"Unity Care is the place I can call for help. It is the place I can count on to help me with things that I need to understand more. They treat me like an adult and show me what the true meaning of living in the real world is. With this program I have achieved many skills and would like to continue to learn more skills that will help me in the world once I turn 21, like saving money, learning how to cook, balancing a check book and keeping a schedule which helps me remember appointments."


"I am glad that I am in this program, and as long as I am in this program, I will continue to focus on becoming an independent adult that doesn't have to depend on others."
- Yasmine