"I really think New Door has helped me with a lot of things. Before, I would act like someone that I wasn’t, and now I can be myself. I’m glad this place exists, and I’m glad I’ve been here. It’s a wicked nice place to be.”

By all accounts, San Francisco’s Mission district is one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Despite its rich culture and history, for many young people, growing up here has as many challenges as advantages.

Zulema, a beautiful 18-year old girl, is a testimony of the risks and possibilities for young Latinas in the streets of the Mission. Born in Mexico, she moved to California with her family at the age of three. By the time she was 6, Zulema’s family had settled in the Mission.

“I grew up in the Mission—I know the people in my neighborhood, and I get along with them,” said Zulema. “I’ve gotten used to it, but in a way it’s dangerous [to live here]. My little brother walks home from school by himself, and just a couple weeks ago, a guy got shot over there.”

Zulema’s fears highlight the problem of gang violence in San Francisco. According to the SF Police Commission, most gang members in the Mission are 12-18 years of age and belong to one of two primary groups: Sureños, or southerners, and Norteños, or northerners, who are offshoots of two Latino prison gangs that have been at war since the late 1960s. One-fifth of all serious violent crime in San Francisco is gang-related.

Zulema was introduced to New Door Ventures at John O’Connell High School (where New Door teaches job-readiness classes) in 2005. She attended a special re-entry program, designed for students who are significantly behind in earning credits toward graduation.

“I was being bad!” said Zulema with a sheepish laugh. “I was cutting school a lot. Sometimes my friends wanted me to do stuff—smoke weed, drink, hang out in the streets.”

But when given the chance to think about her future, Zulema responded with enthusiasm. She was encouraged by New Door Ventures staff to apply for the spring break program, and decided to give it a try.

“I started realizing that what I was doing, I didn’t want it to be my whole life,” said Zulema. “I was doing bad things, and I’ve seen my brothers go through that. I wanted to make a difference.”

Zulema enjoyed the spring break program, where she had the opportunity to job-shadow at REDF, learn about how to get a job, and join team activities. She also began forming stronger relationships with New Door Ventures staff.

“You [New Door staff] told us the right things, but made it fun and made us laugh,” remembered Zulema. “Every time I come here, if I need someone to talk to, you are there for me.”

Zulema went on to be part of the New Door’s Work Experience Program (WEP). Even after WEP ended, she kept showing up at the New Door office. Sometimes she would bring in her schoolwork to share her successes.

“I didn’t have anyone else to show my work, and I knew you [former New Door youth development program manager, Joanna Santa] were here supporting me,” said Zulema. With Joanna’s support, she made the decision to transfer to a different school, where she could focus on schoolwork.

“I want to graduate and get a diploma,” said Zulema. “I’m trying to do better with my grades, and I also want to work, to help my mother and save for college.” Zulema says she wants to be a social worker in the future: “I read the book Child Called It [by Dave Pelzer], and it talked about how his mother mistreated him. I have friends that have been hurt by parents, like a neighbor I had who went to so many foster homes. I want to help with the violence, to protect children.”

This past summer, Zulema was a leader in New Door’s mural project, contributing ideas and encouraging other youth. She motivated the other youth, often coming in to paint all by herself. She painted the entire cityscape on her own.

“When we first got started, seeing our ideas on the wall, we were so excited!” said Zulema. “It was so surprising—I can’t believe we did it.”

Zulema continues to come to New Door regularly, meeting friends to go to school together or coming in to ask for help with job applications. She is beginning to believe in her own potential.

“I really think New Door has helped me with a lot of things. Before, I would act like someone that I wasn’t, and now I can be myself,” said Zulema. “I’m glad this place exists, and I’m glad I’ve been here. It’s a wicked nice place to be.”

- Ciara Wade and Joanna Santa, Youth Development Program Managers, New Door Ventures