Highlights

Cardinals Interact alum Victor Alvarado has dedicated his career to creating opportunities for youth and families in communities like the one that shaped him. Growing up in City Heights, Alvarado credits the program with expanding his perspective, building his confidence, and inspiring his passion for community service. Today, as Youth & Senior Services Manager at Casa Familiar, he leads programs that connect children, families, and older adults with the resources and support they need to thrive while continuing to pay forward the mentorship that helped shape his own journey.

Aaron Price Fellow alum Alicia Yancey has dedicated her career to empowering student leaders and advancing advocacy across California’s public higher education system. A Lincoln High School graduate, Yancey credits the Aaron Price Fellows Program with expanding her perspective, strengthening her confidence, and introducing her to a lifelong community of mentors. Now serving as Organizing Director for the UC Student Association, she reflects on the experiences that shaped her leadership journey and her passion for helping students create meaningful change.

Sonya Vargas Lima’s path from Hoover High School to a career in environmental science highlights the impact of mentorship and opportunity. A Cardinals Interact alum and first-generation college graduate, she built her career through internships, community programs, and hands-on fieldwork. Now a Senior Biologist, Vargas Lima reflects on how Cardinals Interact helped shape her confidence, career direction, and commitment to supporting future generations.

Mauro Soria’s journey from growing up in City Heights to supporting youth in his own community comes full circle through education and restorative justice. A Cardinals Interact alum and Hoover High School graduate, Soria was inspired by his experiences in the program to pursue a career working with young people. Now living and working in City Heights, he serves as a restorative justice practitioner at Monroe Clark Middle School, where he focuses on mentorship, conflict resolution, and helping students feel seen and supported.

School in the Park, a dynamic educational initiative in San Diego’s Balboa Park, integrates formal and informal learning for City Heights schools. Collaborating with institutions like the Mingei International Museum, the program immerses students in diverse art forms, celebrating the beauty of everyday life across cultures and epochs.

The Cardinals Interact Program, a partnership between San Diego Rotary Club 33, Hoover High School and Price Philanthropies to help students reach their full potential academically and personally, had 20 students compete in the annual Rotary 4-way Speech Contest. Of their six top contestants, Vian Huynh, Class of 2025, went on to compete in the […]

The Old Globe has launched Creative Youth Studio (CYS) on three school campuses in City Heights where students will have the opportunity to learn performance skills, technical theatre skills, script writing, visual arts, and more.

Since 1999, School in the Park has been cultivating curiosity, competence, confidence and character through experiential learning opportunities for City Heights students.

Price Philanthropies Foundation’s COVID employment initiative becomes a fulltime workforce development pipeline in ecological restoration and environmental management careers.