Co-Creating with the Community: Teens Rise Foundation’s Approach to Empowering South Bay Youth
At Teens Rise Foundation (TRF), our mission to empower South Bay youth is deeply rooted in a philosophy of co-creation with the communities we serve. For over six years, TRF has been dedicated to addressing inequalities by providing South Bay BIPOC and immigrant youth with academic, athletic, and wellness programs that foster lifelong opportunities. Our success stems from a unique approach: developing programs in partnership with local school districts, educators, students, and families to ensure that our initiatives resonate with the needs and aspirations of the community.
Building Trust Through Deep Integration
Our journey in the South Bay community has been one of intentional collaboration and trust-building. TRF’s partnerships with the Sweetwater Union High School District, San Ysidro School District, and Chula Vista Elementary School District are not just strategic; they are the product of years of relationship-building. We have earned the trust of these districts by consistently delivering programs that directly address the challenges faced by first-generation, low-income, and immigrant youth. Our success is a testament to the strength of our community-centered approach, where schools invite us to be an integral part of their students' educational experience.
Listening Session at Mar Vista High School
Co-Developing Programs with the Community
The foundation of our work is co-creation. We believe that the best solutions come from within the community itself. Our programs are not imposed from the outside but are co-developed with input from students, educators, and families. This collaborative process ensures that our initiatives are culturally relevant, accessible, and effective. By involving the community in the development of our programs, we remove barriers to access and create initiatives that truly meet the needs of those we aim to serve.
For example, our signature Serves, Scholars, y Salud (SSyS) program was shaped by the feedback and insights of the community. The program’s components—athletic opportunities through tennis, academic enrichment, and wellness initiatives—reflect the priorities and aspirations of the South Bay community. As a result, SSyS has become a comprehensive model for youth development, addressing not only academic achievement but also the physical and mental health of students.
A beautiful example of co-developing programs with the community from San Ysidro High School where Mr. Gutierrez identified the need to cultivate a stronger college going culture for his AVID students. He shared this goal with TRF and together we launched the school’s first ever College Signing Day celebration. College Signing Day is an opportunity for students to be celebrated by their families, peers, and the school community for their efforts and achievements towards preparing for college. Each student has a moment of recognition and other students gain inspiration from seeing their siblings and peers succeed and be celebrated. As always, we strive to not only bring opportunities like this to life for our students but also ensure they are centered around what’s best for students. This led to a cohort of seniors forming a committee to help plan the event and offer input to the TRF team and Mr. Gutierrez as decisions for the event were made. In the end, everyone experienced a wonderful celebration that had the Class of 2024’s handprint on it.
San Ysidro High Class of 2024 College Signing Day featuring SY High Mariachi
Class of 2024 San Ysidro High School Senior Officers and AVID Coordinator Mr. Gutierrez
Measuring Impact and Continuous Improvement
TRF’s commitment to co-creation extends beyond program development; it also informs how we measure and improve our impact. We continuously assess our programs to ensure they are making a real difference in academic readiness, college access, family engagement, and career exposure.
Our data-driven approach has yielded significant outcomes:
Over 700 hours of tennis provided in eight schools, a 500% increase in tennis enrollment from prior academic year
Over 600 students participated in college readiness and career exploration activities, with students becoming 3.5 times more likely to be college-ready and 4 times more confident in their college applications.
91% retention in our afterschool mindfulness workshops
These metrics reflect the effectiveness of our co-created programs and underscore our commitment to continuous improvement based on community feedback.
A Vision for the Future
As we look to the future, TRF remains committed to expanding our impact through continued collaboration with the community. We are honored to seek new partnerships with like minded organizations to enhance our programs and further support South Bay youth. Our vision is clear: to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for youth left behind by societal disadvantages and structural racism.
By co-creating with the community, TRF ensures that our programs are not just relevant but transformative. We believe that true equity is achieved when the voices of the community guide the solutions, and we are proud to walk this path alongside the students, families, and educators of the South Bay.
Through partnership, trust, and co-creation, TRF is building a brighter future for all.