Quotes from our members:
Srija Pamujula, coach since 2020
My favorite part of StRIVE is getting to meet and work with kids that are incredibly hard-working and talented. I find it amazing to see these students grow and to be able to grow with them. I think StRIVE is unique since it allows you to have interactions with students that have very different experiences than you do. I love our outings since we get to build relationships with the students over several weeks and still engage in meaningful conversations about health, goals, and positivity. We also share often throughout the outings and learning more about these students has helped me open my perspective by learning so much more.
Mohnish Alishala, coach since 2020
I love just getting to meet new people and being able to help the students in the class to learn to be independent and advocate for themselves. All the students that we mentor in StRIVE have such bright and interesting personalities so it’s always a pleasure to work with them. From my experiences, I have learned that these students have much more to offer than what meets the eye. I hope to keep working with StRIVE for the rest of my time at UCSD.
Jannah Ustaris, coach since 2015
“I definitely enjoyed the time when my group and I engaged in exercise-oriented activities with the TRACE students. I could tell that all of them were genuinely enjoying their time with us. So, I felt really fulfilled knowing that our hard efforts to plan those activities truly paid off. I got to see new sides of each student: some of them showed their love for competition, while others were super crafty and helped us start our activities. Eventually, I worked with one student who required a bit more of my individual attention: we kicked a ball back and forth. I had to chase after the ball a lot, and display more patience towards that student's needs. However, once we took a quick water break, that student patted my shoulder and rubbed my back. I could tell she was a very affectionate girl with a big heart, and one staff member thanked me for taking the time to play with her. Initiating the effort to play with her, and succeeding to get closer to her truly warmed my heart. That was the moment I really knew that no matter how much of a disability one has, their heart will always be huge, just like anybody else's.”
Aishwarya Vuppala, coach since 2016
Strive has been an integral part of this past quarter. I got to interact with several unique individuals and got the chance to learn about the adults who attended the outings at a personal level. I made a friend who shares my love for music, I got to talk about my favorite shows with one of the adults who attended the outings, I danced to JT's 'Can't stop the feeling' with a bunch of awesome people, and I made some new friends who I hope I can grow with. I learned so much about the amazing strengths and weaknesses that shaped many of these adults, and how they appreciate the little things in life. Strive allowed me to take a break and just have fun with my peers while also learning to grow with them emotionally. The smile on Isaac's face when we listened to Sabrina Carpenter's music just showed me how simple it is to unite two people even with their differences. I hope to do more as a coach in the winter and be there for my peers.
Shivani Lakkaraju, coach since 2015
I really feel that StRive allows me to make a direct positive impact on the students we work with. I love that Strive aims to help students with mental disabilities feel more included because I feel that all too often in our society people with disabilities are not included and as a result, face an automatic and unfair barrier. I don't think that this is widely recognized and taken action against since people often don't even really realize that there is an innate bias towards people with disabilities. I am glad that Strive addresses this glaring flaw in our society. I really have enjoyed working with all the Trace students I have met so far, and my fellow coaches have been very friendly and fun to volunteer alongside too!
Samantha Wong, coach since 2016
I like how StRIVE presents its challenges as well as its joys. It has been very eye-opening working with adult students with developmental disabilities, particularly because these disabilities exist on spectrums and every student is different and needs to be approached differently. I really liked how the Thursday cohort was small (in number of students and coaches), so I found myself talking with not jut one student but all of the students. The five of us coaches had to improvise quite a bit, which is actually a great skill for me to learn since I know I need to improve on troubleshooting on short notice. I loved how we were able to plan out activities with certain themes before the outings.
Ariel Docuyanan, coach since 2015
After my first quarter of joining StRIVE, I've always said that joining StRIVE was the best decision I could have done during my freshman year of college. I've throughly enjoyed working with the students and getting to know their quirks and individual struggles. I've also learned a lot through StRIVE like how importance of positive energy in a learning environment, the importance of proper planning- and I know there's still a lot more that I learn and grow from.
Amelia Crye, former StRIVE program director and long-time volunteer since 2013:
“Working with TRACE students is a constant reminder that although every person communicates differently, each one of us is significant and worthy of happiness, respect, individual attention and the chance to live a healthy, independent life. The students are truly excited to see us each week, and as our peers, they listen to what we have to say. Working with TRACE students is the highlight of my week, and I always leave feeling incredibly happy. Being a head coach for STRIVE has been one of the most valuable, rewarding experiences of my life.”
From community experts:
Judy Chambliss, Vice Principal of the TRACE school
“Meaningful participation between StRIVE coaches and TRACE students have involved planning, decision-making, participation and social integration. In partnership with TRACE, the UCSD college students have provided direct support in the community, social coaching, and personal support. It has been a tremendous success”
Tracie Masi, Speech Pathologist of the TRACE school
“StRIVE sessions include recreational activities as well as speech-language and social skills interventions. This program has provided invaluable experiences for the students with disabilities.”
Current Partners and Sponsors:
Srija Pamujula, coach since 2020
My favorite part of StRIVE is getting to meet and work with kids that are incredibly hard-working and talented. I find it amazing to see these students grow and to be able to grow with them. I think StRIVE is unique since it allows you to have interactions with students that have very different experiences than you do. I love our outings since we get to build relationships with the students over several weeks and still engage in meaningful conversations about health, goals, and positivity. We also share often throughout the outings and learning more about these students has helped me open my perspective by learning so much more.
Mohnish Alishala, coach since 2020
I love just getting to meet new people and being able to help the students in the class to learn to be independent and advocate for themselves. All the students that we mentor in StRIVE have such bright and interesting personalities so it’s always a pleasure to work with them. From my experiences, I have learned that these students have much more to offer than what meets the eye. I hope to keep working with StRIVE for the rest of my time at UCSD.
Jannah Ustaris, coach since 2015
“I definitely enjoyed the time when my group and I engaged in exercise-oriented activities with the TRACE students. I could tell that all of them were genuinely enjoying their time with us. So, I felt really fulfilled knowing that our hard efforts to plan those activities truly paid off. I got to see new sides of each student: some of them showed their love for competition, while others were super crafty and helped us start our activities. Eventually, I worked with one student who required a bit more of my individual attention: we kicked a ball back and forth. I had to chase after the ball a lot, and display more patience towards that student's needs. However, once we took a quick water break, that student patted my shoulder and rubbed my back. I could tell she was a very affectionate girl with a big heart, and one staff member thanked me for taking the time to play with her. Initiating the effort to play with her, and succeeding to get closer to her truly warmed my heart. That was the moment I really knew that no matter how much of a disability one has, their heart will always be huge, just like anybody else's.”
Aishwarya Vuppala, coach since 2016
Strive has been an integral part of this past quarter. I got to interact with several unique individuals and got the chance to learn about the adults who attended the outings at a personal level. I made a friend who shares my love for music, I got to talk about my favorite shows with one of the adults who attended the outings, I danced to JT's 'Can't stop the feeling' with a bunch of awesome people, and I made some new friends who I hope I can grow with. I learned so much about the amazing strengths and weaknesses that shaped many of these adults, and how they appreciate the little things in life. Strive allowed me to take a break and just have fun with my peers while also learning to grow with them emotionally. The smile on Isaac's face when we listened to Sabrina Carpenter's music just showed me how simple it is to unite two people even with their differences. I hope to do more as a coach in the winter and be there for my peers.
Shivani Lakkaraju, coach since 2015
I really feel that StRive allows me to make a direct positive impact on the students we work with. I love that Strive aims to help students with mental disabilities feel more included because I feel that all too often in our society people with disabilities are not included and as a result, face an automatic and unfair barrier. I don't think that this is widely recognized and taken action against since people often don't even really realize that there is an innate bias towards people with disabilities. I am glad that Strive addresses this glaring flaw in our society. I really have enjoyed working with all the Trace students I have met so far, and my fellow coaches have been very friendly and fun to volunteer alongside too!
Samantha Wong, coach since 2016
I like how StRIVE presents its challenges as well as its joys. It has been very eye-opening working with adult students with developmental disabilities, particularly because these disabilities exist on spectrums and every student is different and needs to be approached differently. I really liked how the Thursday cohort was small (in number of students and coaches), so I found myself talking with not jut one student but all of the students. The five of us coaches had to improvise quite a bit, which is actually a great skill for me to learn since I know I need to improve on troubleshooting on short notice. I loved how we were able to plan out activities with certain themes before the outings.
Ariel Docuyanan, coach since 2015
After my first quarter of joining StRIVE, I've always said that joining StRIVE was the best decision I could have done during my freshman year of college. I've throughly enjoyed working with the students and getting to know their quirks and individual struggles. I've also learned a lot through StRIVE like how importance of positive energy in a learning environment, the importance of proper planning- and I know there's still a lot more that I learn and grow from.
Amelia Crye, former StRIVE program director and long-time volunteer since 2013:
“Working with TRACE students is a constant reminder that although every person communicates differently, each one of us is significant and worthy of happiness, respect, individual attention and the chance to live a healthy, independent life. The students are truly excited to see us each week, and as our peers, they listen to what we have to say. Working with TRACE students is the highlight of my week, and I always leave feeling incredibly happy. Being a head coach for STRIVE has been one of the most valuable, rewarding experiences of my life.”
From community experts:
Judy Chambliss, Vice Principal of the TRACE school
“Meaningful participation between StRIVE coaches and TRACE students have involved planning, decision-making, participation and social integration. In partnership with TRACE, the UCSD college students have provided direct support in the community, social coaching, and personal support. It has been a tremendous success”
Tracie Masi, Speech Pathologist of the TRACE school
“StRIVE sessions include recreational activities as well as speech-language and social skills interventions. This program has provided invaluable experiences for the students with disabilities.”
Current Partners and Sponsors:
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