NEW BIRTH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Journey Mentoring Program offers youth and teens an opportunity to find their voices while also teaching them how to advocate on their own behalf. In 2024, students were able to get information on college readiness, job preparation, goal setting and several other areas while also being provided with one to one mentoring and other activities to allow for them to grow socially as well. As part of this mentoring service, The Development was able to hire SEVEN (7) youth/teens 14-18 years of age to work during our summer programming, an increase of two students from the previous year. Youth were able to receive on the job training, CPR certifications, and first hand mentoring from mentor staff on a daily basis. They also assisted in event planning and tabling events throughout their time of employment. All youth are eligible for re-hire for the upcoming summer. From our program, FOUR (4) students graduated from high school with three students attending college and one student joining the United States Military. In addition, students participated in culture-rich activities aimed at providing experiences to students that may not have otherwise had these experiences and opportunities. The Development launched its first Friendsgiving for Journey Mentoring students and parents that provided them dinner and a live band, as well as the background for both jazz music and soul food. Parents were able to learn more information on the programs we offer and how their children benefit from being a part of our program. Students then went to see "The Nutcracker in Jazz" to further be submerged in Jazz culture. In addition to community service events, the youth ended their year at Universal Studios. JMP was able to take 40 (FORTY) students to LA for a day at Universal Studios.

Community Activities New Birth Community Development hosted a number of community activities during the year. A list of events including, but not limited to the following: food distribution, thanksgiving dinner giveaway for more than 100 families, Christmas dinner and gifts for approximately 40 families (an increase of 10 families from last year), a supply of toiletries and other items to our homeless communities, and our annual community day, the start of The Man Cave (group for men and young adult males) and Runaway Moms (a group for mothers). We also provided school supplies for approximately 150 students attending schools in Manteca Unified School District, Stockton Unified School District and Lodi Unified School District all in Stockton, Ca. School supplies were also donated directly to the schools for students that may not otherwise have received supplies.