CELEBRATING RIPPLES OF CHANGE 260 Guests Raise Funds for First Generation College Students SAN DIEGO, CA (April 12, 2025) — On Friday, April 11th, local nonprofit Reality Changers hosted a gala-style fundraiser in support of their mission to prepare youth to become first-generation college graduates and agents of change in their communities. The event was […]
PRESS RELEASE – CELEBRATING RIPPLES OF CHANGE Read More »
“I was born in Afghanistan. Growing up, I always wanted to go to school and become a doctor. However, I was uncertain if I would be able to achieve my dreams because of the academic challenges Afghan girls face due to the Taliban’s regime. I was lucky enough to move to the United States, where
In my Own Words: Hashima (’24) Read More »
Understanding Chronic Absenteeism and Its Consequences Chronic absenteeism isn’t just about missing a day or two of school—it’s when a student misses 10 percent or more of the school year for any reason. That’s about 18 days in a standard school year, and it adds up fast. The numbers don’t lie: According to national data, more
the Impact of After-School Programs on Chronic Absenteeism Read More »
Chronic absenteeism is a challenge that schools across the country face, impacting students’ academic performance and future opportunities. At Reality Changers, we take a proactive approach to combat absenteeism by providing students with structured after-school programs. By fostering mentorship, leadership, and academic support, we create an environment where students feel motivated to show up, stay
A Model for Combating Chronic Absenteeism Read More »
In this transformative episode of The Good For Others Show, John Valencia (host) sits down with Tamara Craver, President and CEO of Reality Changers. Tamara shares the incredible journey of empowering students with less than a 2.0 GPA to become college-bound leaders and agents of change in their communities. Discover how Reality Changers provides academic
Podcast: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures Read More »
Meet the Buenos: Stephanie (‘15), Mimi (‘24), and their parents: Erika and Luiz. The family values education, not just because college is a pathway to opportunity, but also because it helps them to give back to their community in Southeast San Diego. Erika grew up in Mexico. She was not able to finish high school
Meet The Bueno Family Read More »
Genemo (‘11) grew up in Ethiopia and City Heights. As a high school student, he participated in Reality Changers, where he learned soft and hard skills for college success. “If you go through the Reality Changers experience,” he says, “you’re a different person at the end. It gave me the discipline to follow through and
“College really gives people the opportunity to find something they love and to work in that field.” – Ricky (‘18) For many students, the path to college and career success can be daunting, especially for youth who don’t have a strong academic or professional network. Ricky, a Reality Changers graduate, had support from organization mentors
We are excited to welcome Kevin Torres and Zoe Benink as our newest Achievement Coaches! Kevin will be supporting 11th graders and Zoe will be working with 9th graders to complete homework, learn soft skills, and prepare for college. Kevin (Kev) recently moved from NYC, where he grew up in Queens, NY, experiencing a blend
Welcome Zoe & Kevin Read More »
Congratulations to our CEO, Tamara Y. Craver, for being named a 2024 CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal! This is Tamara’s second CEO of the Year award in three years.
Applying to college means learning dozens of new vocabulary words and phrases. From syllabi to credit hours, it’s easy to get lost amidst the flurry of new terminology. Among these terms, you might come across “first-generation college student.” But what exactly does that mean, and how do you know if it applies to you? Let’s
What is a First-Generation College Student? Am I One? Read More »
Starting college can be a real challenge, especially for first-generation students who may face unique hurdles and uncertainties. Unlike their peers who come from families with prior experience navigating the higher education system, first-generation students often lack the guidance and support networks that others may take for granted. From navigating the college application process to
Top Tips for First-Generation College Students Read More »
Email & Phone:
Info@RealityChangers.org
619.516.2222
Mailing Address:
PO Box 50220
San Diego, CA 92165
Since 2015, Reality Changers’ programming has been funded in part by a City of San Diego Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). These funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to the City of San Diego.
ES