Empower Youth: Help Christian Get Wheels

Hello,

I am sharing a heartfelt request for your support in obtaining a car so I can put down a payment, This is the first time I have ever asked folks for help for myself, so here it goes. My name is Christian Sbragia, and I am a student at Cal State East Bay working towards a Bachelor's degree. My passion lies in working with youth and helping them realize their full potential. Over the years, I've witnessed the profound impact that mentorship and community involvement can have on the lives of young people.

For nearly a decade, I've dedicated my life to serving the East Palo Alto community. I founded CoolineKids at the tender age of nine, with the goal of providing a safe and enriching environment for children in East Palo Alto to have fun. As I grew older, I recognized that community leaders are the ones who can truly drive lasting, transformative change. In 2018, CoolineKids shifted its focus from hosting safe events to conducting impactful community service projects. Since then, I've been unwavering in my commitment to inspiring students of all ages to develop as leaders through service learning and leadership.

CoolineKids is all about teaching K-12 students the values of creativity, compassion, communication, and collaboration—our four foundational principles of service leadership. We employ a hands-on curriculum that encompasses a wide range of activities, from cooking and photography to reading, science, art, sports, engineering, and more. We firmly believe that young people learn best from other young people, which is why we engage high school and college students to support them as leaders during our summer camps. Through programs like CrewCamp training, Student Leadership Fellowship, and Camp Leadership Team, high school youth cultivate their leadership skills and become positive change-makers in their community.

My commitment to youth development extends beyond CoolineKids. I've worked as a staff member at The Primary School, Peninsula Bridge, and various local committees and commissions dedicated to finding solutions for the challenges that disadvantaged young people face.

Currently, I am actively applying for jobs in the field of youth development. Unfortunately, I'm encountering a significant obstacle—I lack reliable transportation. Many of the positions I am well-suited for require travel to different locations, which I am unable to manage without a car. One such opportunity, a Restorative Justice Coordinator role, eludes my grasp because it involves commuting between school sites, something I cannot accomplish without access to reliable transportation.

I've been planning to acquire a car for a while, but the financial resources have proven elusive. My entire life has been dedicated to serving others, and I've led CoolineKids as a volunteer for the entirety of my 10 years of service, never receiving a paycheck. It is my sincere hope that you would consider helping me by donating to this fund so that I can purchase a car. Your generosity would make an immense difference in my life and enable me to continue my work, changing the lives of young people.

I would be deeply honored if you would consider supporting me by helping me put down a payment. A car would not only enhance my personal mobility but also empower me to continue serving youth, advocating for their growth, and facilitating transformative change in our community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Your support means the world to me and the youth I am dedicated to empowering.