Mentors Change Lives

“One time Aden asked me, ‘Do you get paid to do this?’ And I said, ‘Dude, my benefit is, someone did it for me, and I hope you can go out and do something nice for someone else.’ I’m a big believer in paying it forward, and if I have the means and the ability to do it, I’m going to do it. I can’t give money, but I have time to give. That’s what we should all do to make the world a better place.” -- Derek Hegyi, volunteer mentor for Jewish Family Service of San Diego's Jewish BigPals program.

San Diego Mentor Pays It Forward, Tacos Included was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 27, 2017.

Volunteer Profile

"To know that just my mere presence brings light to someone’s day is an amazing feeling that can’t be explained in words. To watch these kids grow and regain trust in society, and to achieve what they believe is the impossible, is something that still, after 10 years, surprises me every time it happens." -- Maggie McWhorter, Executive Director for StandUp For Kids

This profile of Maggie McWhorter was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Jan. 22, 2017.

Student Debt Impacts Women

My opinion is students should avoid loan debt. The surest way to do that is to not take out student loans in the first place. How to pay for school you ask?

• Live at home with parents as long as possible. This might mean you help around the house and contribute to household expenses.
• Apply for financial aid. This goes without saying. Even if you don't think you qualify, submit your FAFSA and indicate "Work Study" if you are interested in a part-time job on campus. Renew your FAFSA every year. 
• Apply for scholarships. Check out the scholarship page on this blog. Also check the San Diego City College scholarship site for resources.
• Take as many courses as possible at the community college before transfer. Work with a counselor on this.
• Set a budget and stick to it.
• Cut unnecessary expenses. By this, I mean buy only what you need, not what you want.
• Author Dave Ramsey says it's imperative to set up an emergency fund of $1000 asap. Whatever your budget can afford, start putting a set amount away each month until you reach $1000. How? Sell stuff you don't need. Work an extra job during school breaks. Take in a roommate to cut the rent. Having an emergency fund will save you a ton of stress when emergencies happen. It will also empower you by showing you it's possible to save.
• Once you establish your emergency fund, then continue saving the same monthly amount or more if possible. Put it in a savings account toward your future college expenses.

Okay, female students, the article below is about you. But don't fret. Do the above instead. College Debt Weighs More Heavily on Women Than On Men appeared on MSN Money.

UC Education Will Cost More

UC Regents Approve First Tuition Increase Since 2011 was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 28, 2017.

Protecting Immigrant Students

Sometimes it's hard being a counselor at San Diego City College. We don't have the resources to help students the way we would like to, especially during the peak registration periods. We run out of appointments. We don't have enough educational planning workshops, and it's hard for students to get the help they need. This is frustrating for students, counselors, and staff. During these times, I can feel pretty exasperated and question my purpose in this profession.

There are times, however, when I'm proud to be an employee of the San Diego Community College District. The article below regarding our District's stance in protecting immigrant students is one instance in which I am glad to be a part of our District and community. It's reassuring to know that the District has the backs of our students. Kudos to Chancellor Constance Carroll for taking this stand because it's the right thing to do.

The San Diego Community College District is taking a stand to protect college students who could possibly face deportation. "There are institutions that will provide voluntary assistance (to federal immigration officers), and we will not be one of them." -- Chancellor Constance Carroll.

Community College District Moves to Protect Immigrant Students appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 28, 2017.

Homeless

Escondido Puts Homeless on Priority List appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb. 19, 2017.

Oceanside Debates Homeless Solutions was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb. 14, 2017.

"This situation is beyond outrageous, but our homeless population is not to blame -- the culprit is failed leadership." City Camp Could Be San Diego's Homeless Solution appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on Feb. 10, 2017.

How to solve the homeless problem? Homeless Crisis Is Solvable, But Won't Yield to Political Timidity was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 29, 2017.

Volunteers helped count the numbers of homeless in San Diego. "It was an eye-opener to see people sleeping under the bridge." -- Natasha Howell of Oceanside, who helped search for homeless near Camp Pendleton. 1,700 Volunteers Hit the Street to Count, Interview the Homeless appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 28, 2017.

Homeless Connect gave services and basic necessities to 1,016 people on January 25. "This is where my life turned around." -- David Hyland, one of the many people who received help. 1,000+ Receive Clothes, Services at 11th Homeless Connect was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 25, 2017.

Army Vet Heals Through Loving Her Cat

"I was in such a bad place. I remember thinking, 'How am I going to get out of this?' And then I saw that face, and I just felt something. And when you don't usually feel much and you finally feel something, you kind of have to act on that." -- Army veteran, Karolyn Smith, on seeing her cat, Sophia, for the first time on San Diego Humane Society's Facebook page.

How An Amputee Cat Helped A San Diego Veteran Heal Herself appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune on January 14, 2017.

Is It A Good Time to Buy a Used Car?

"This is the first material (car inventory) decline we've seen since the recession." -- Jonathan Banks, an analyst at J.D. Power. The Time is Right to Buy a Used Vehicle was published in the LA Times on December 27, 2016.

San Diego City College Scholarships Open!

Need money for school? Check out the San Diego City College Scholarships open until Feb. 24, 2017. Awards: $175 to $1000.

Music and Business -- Career Opportunities

Music majors at SDSU have options beyond a career in performance. By taking part in a five-course minor, they can expand their career prospects. SDSU Music Students On Track to Be Entrepreneurs was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on December 17, 2016.

Kindness Goes a Long Way

A Toys R Us employee steps in to help a mother who was a little short on cash, and the kindness was repaid tenfold. This story appeared on MSN News.

Ways to Avoid Spending Too Much

One way to help with holiday expenses? Sell some of your excess stuff and use the extra cash for your holiday budget. Here are some other tips: Prepare Your Finances for the Holidays from MSN.

Jobs Available!

Mental Health Peer Educators and Military Veteran Peer Educators needed for Spring 2017. Work 10 hours a week at the Mental Health Counseling Center on campus.

Duties:

• Oversee information tables
• Classroom presentations
• Represent the Mental Health Counseling Center at campus events

Contact: Alyssa Panyawai at apanyawai@sdccd.edu

Students Provide Food for Thanksgiving

"We started it because many students on campus are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their family." -- Yasmeen Obeid, social vice president for the Associated Student Organization at Southwestern College

Students Organize Thanksgiving Dinners for Others at Two Colleges was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on November 23, 2016.

Cell Phone Plans

Here are some no-contract cell phone carriers that could save you money over the big companies:

Consumer Cellular took first place in the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards for mobile carriers and the company was recognized by JD Power for best-in-class customer service. Their plans start as low as $10 a month.

Republic Wireless also ranked high in the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards. Republic Wireless has 4G LTE and WiFi. Plans start at $15 a month with unlimited talk, text, and WiFi data and you have the ability to change your plan based on your use needs.

Cricket Wireless plans start at $30 a month with 4G LTE, 1GB data, and unlimited nationwide talk and text. Cricket Wireless has been recommended by Consumer Reports and the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards.

Page Plus has been recommended by Consumer Reports. Their plans start at $12 a month with 250 minutes or $39.95 with unlimited minutes.

Ting has been recommended by Consumer Reports. Their plans are based on your actual usage and their average customer monthly bill is $23.

MetroPCS is ranked highly in the PC Mag Readers' Choice Awards. They have a $30 plan that includes unlimited data, talk, and text.

Giving Away a Fortune

"We live only one life. When you die, there's nothing great about being the richest person in the world. That doesn't count. What's important is to have a positive attitude, come up with good ideas and have a willing heart." -- Charlie Yim

Self-Made Millionaire Plans to Give It All Away was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Nov. 8, 2016.

https://www.sdfoundation.org/

Delivering Meals and Much More

"When I was here in this country, my mom was really sick. Some of the guys I grew up with, whenever she needed something done, they would do it. This is my way of giving back. If someone could help my mom, then I feel it's my duty to help someone else's mom." -- Meals on Wheels volunteer, Allan Thomas.

Retiree Finds Second Career With Meals On Wheels was published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Oct. 25, 2016.

Friendship

This is a touching story of friendship between a veteran and the young boy who lived next door.