During this holiday season, we are reflecting on transitions and how to navigate them as they inevitably come. Today, we are sharing part two of a three part series. If you missed part one, click here to learn more about Sara’s beginnings with UP and how she’s learned to navigate transitions as a StreetLeader!
Sara at her Senior Signing Day, 2017
After graduating high school in 2017, Sara began her freshman year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Going from a Title I school where I was succeeding to a [research] university, that transition was extremely difficult. But I was able to get so much support from my StreetLeader Director, Erika, in navigating the change because I was severely underprepared for college," Sara shared as she was a first generation college student.
"I didn't realize I was underprepared until I was sitting in a philosophy class [freshman year] talking about reasoning. It was a prep class for the LSAT and I had no reason to take that class. But, I learned about the resources I could use and the people I could rely on to get through those difficult moments."
Sara with camper while interning at our East location, Camp Hope, 2018
The community Sara built while at UP helped her through these difficult times in college. "During my last session in college, [my UP alumni class] wrote encouraging notes and put them into little mason jars. I took mine with me to college and read through them when I needed to.
"[My UP alumni class] were not in touch every day, but we were like a pack we could rely on. God has taught me that we do not have to experience transitions by ourselves."
Even after her time as a StreetLeader, Sara carried UrbanPromise with her. As transitions happen, community is important. The community we build at UrbanPromise lives beyond our students' time as campers and StreetLeaders. It is here to help our students as they transition from one stage of life to another. For Sara, community was needed as she made the transition from high school to college.
Sara with campers, 2016
We are so grateful that you have been part of our community of supporters, especially as we've navigated transitions as an organization. Your support is an encouragement and plays an important role in creating community among our students, StreetLeaders and Alumni at UP.