Project Optimism is one of 54 host sites for Sacramento Valley College Corps fellows. In this interview, cofounder Ishmael Pruitt shares his insights about working with SVCC student fellows.

Can you tell us about your organization's mission?

Our mission is to equip community members with an optimistic mindset and enable them to become productive contributors to society. We are reshaping the way people perceive their inherited circumstances and the world they live in, empowering them to navigate and live a life they are proud of, not only for themselves but for the community. We have a big focus on youth development, inspiring them to be better and providing them with opportunities to join the community's efforts to create a positive impact. We use the money we receive for scholarships, toy drives and events where kids get to choose a toy or school supply.

What kind of communities do you serve?

Our target is historically underserved populations. Therefore, we primarily focus on low-income foster youth, typically between fourth grade to high school. Additionally, we also work with individuals between the ages of 18 to 24, who serve as mentors for the kids in our program and themselves receive mentorship and support. A large majority of our staff and youth identify as Black, Latinx or Farsi.

What type of support and mentoring do you provide to fellows?

I have a background in higher education, and during my years of working as a counselor, I realized that many interns do not get hands-on experience or training. Instead, they end up doing miscellaneous tasks. To combat this issue, I offer mentorship and guidance, drawing on my knowledge of higher education institutions to help interns navigate their career paths.

Many universities emphasize graduating in four years, but for low-income students with a heavy course load and work obligations, this goal is often unrealistic and unhealthy. Therefore, I wanted to create a positive work environment that is flexible and caters to their needs.

What kind of work do your student fellows typically do, and how does it benefit both the fellows and your organization?

Our organization is still young, and having more hands on deck is beneficial for our growth and service. Our fellows work as mentors and are responsible for a caseload of five to six youth on average, depending on the number of school sites assigned to them. They have the freedom to be innovative and creative, and we encourage them to develop their own activities and games to engage the children they work with. We also support them in leveraging their personal interests. For example, one of our mentors is interested in marketing, and we have them create the newsletter and promote community impact initiatives to our partners in schools. Our youth are also the driving force behind our signature events, including the Power of Giving Toy Drive and the Power of Giving School Supply Drive. They lead the entire process, from identifying toys to marketing and registration, and we provide supplies to around 300 to 500 children at each event.

Can you share any success stories or notable projects that student fellows have worked on this year?

Our interns helped us become innovative with our events and create a more communal experience instead of a transactional one. The events turned into a festive experience where the kids play games and engage with the volunteers and staff on-site. We also have a healthcare component with resources for parents and children to help promote well-being.

About SVCC

UC Davis is proud to be among the 45 campuses selected for the inaugural #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program. UC Davis, along with Sacramento State, Sacramento City College and Woodland Community College, form the regional Sacramento Valley College Corps, or SVCC. A key element of this program are local community-based organizations and government agencies who host student fellows during the academic year.