Addressing Financial Barriers to Completion for Low-Income Students

Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Jade graduated from Yale University with a degree in ethnicity, race & migration and human rights in 2017. After graduation, Jade served as a caseworker for homeless and home-insecure families before joining a high-need middle school in South Central LA through Americorps VISTA. At the middle school, Jade developed health and wellness-related programs and resources for students and families– 98% of whom live in poverty. To better serve the needs of her students and their families, Jade partnered with organizations to bring nutrition, violence prevention, and mental health workshops to the school; organized community health clinics; created the Boys 2 Men Mentorship Program; implemented Breakfast in the Classroom. Serving in the trenches of urban education and social work affirms her passion for offering families experiencing poverty the love and support that they deserve.