Reality Changers

Reality Changers has had a long term positive impact on my life. I first got involved with the organization in 2006 – 2007 while I was a student at UCSD. Coming in as a student speaker and getting to know the students definitely hit some heart-​strings; knowing that I could serve as a role-​model was gratifying. In 2008 I volunteered during the end-​of-​the-​year celebration; seeing dozens of volunteers come together for such a special occasion showed me first-​hand the impact that Reality Changers has had in the community. Over the past 5 months I have had the privilege of helping Reality Changers with the launch of their College Apps Academy. During these past five months I have seen the dedication of every one of the staff members. Christopher, Jesse, Ivan, Marshela, Jonathan, Angela, Cecilia, Ashley, Carlos, Eduardo, Norma and Amy have all been instrumental in making reality changers what it is today. We also have had some amazing help of volunteers and stellar members of the community such as Robert Freund and Vaughn Baker during this last year; they have built the foundation in which College Apps Academy was built. Lastly, we cannot forget the impactful contribution SVP, LEAD San Diego and our College Apps Academy instructors who have also been fully involved in creating the platform that will serve Reality Changers for many years to come. It has been an honor to be part of such a great organization. I look forward to my continued involvement. Reality Changers is a great non-​profit; and a model for our educational system in this country.
I would highly recommend that you find a way to get involved. Visit

Reality Changers is a non-​profit that helps 8^th-​12^th grade students from all over San Diego be the first in their families to go to college. Over the years, Reality Changers has proven that it is much more than a non-​profit program. I have volunteered as a tutor and mentor since Spring of 2008 (back when I was still a student at UCSD) and it has been extremely rewarding seeing the students grow and mature into responsible citizens and adults.
The weekly program consists of S.A.T. test preparation, an insightful lesson, a delicious homemade dinner (which is five stars for sure! not every volunteer gig you do feeds you!), and then 1.5 hours of study time. During this time, you are paired up with a small group of students which makes it easier to connect with the students. Reality Changers has even had inspiring guest speakers such as politicians, leaders in the San Diego community, and university officials.
With the help of the supportive and encouraging staff and volunteers, these inner-​city youth from San Diego become the first in their families to attend a four-​year university. and not only do they defy all statistics against them to get ACCEPTED, these students earn scholarships to go to schools such as Duke, Harvard, Dartmouth, USC, UCLA, and more. This truly shows how Reality Changers is more than just a program that helps high school students. It gives teens who never might have had the chance an opportunity of a lifetime and I am happy and blessed to be a part of it. It is amazing what a few hours a week can do to transform a student’s life.
This organization is unlike place I’ve ever volunteered at because they really make everyone who is a part of the program — whether you’re a tutor, a parent, a volunteer, or a student feel like part of the RC Family. Also, tutors come from very diverse backgrounds — there are many college students (from UCSD, SDSU, PLNU, etc), professionals from the community, retired adults, and more who are all invested in helping inner city students from San Diego be the first in their families to go to college.

Reality Changers is an amazing organization that helps lower income/​at risk youth become first generation college students. Students attend weekly meetings that include Hot Words (usually SAT prep), a family style dinner, a take home lesson, and tutoring by college students or other volunteers. RC also sends eligible students to UCSD over the summer to take courses for college credit, to a week-​long summer camp to bond with other students, and helps seniors complete their college & scholarship applications… did I mention this is all for free?
The students who I’ve met here are some of the most intelligent, friendly, and resilient high schoolers I know, and everyone on staff is wonderful. If you live in San Diego and you have a couple of free hours every week, definitely DEFINITELY check out this organization!
Because education is a right, not a privilege — and you can help make one student’s dream a reality!