Warm Dorm Warms Hearts
Our recent high school graduates came back to Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI) with their parents knowing they were here to pick up a “gift” but did not really know what they were receiving. College Success Program (CSP) Specialist, Julian, explained to them that there is a group of wonderful donors that have come together for many years now to purchase the necessary items each student needs for their dorm rooms, or to make themselves more comfortable if they are staying at home.  
 
As they came into the room lined with boxes full of dorm items, both student and
parent faces lit up with smiles and happiness. Mr. Patino and Mr. Saldaña both
expressed their gratitude not only for the warm dorm items they had just received but for everything BLCI has done for them and their children throughout their years in the program. Smiles and head nods from the other parents affirmed the sentiment. 
 
They also expressed that some of the things they were getting such as alarm clocks,
shower caddies, sandals, and hangers were things they had not necessarily
thought they would need.  
 
One senior, Daniela, will be attending a Summer Institute program at Cal Poly SLO
next week and was happy to know she did not have to go purchase the
items herself.  
 
Students were particularly thrilled to receive a sweatshirt with the logo of the school they'll be attending in the fall, and an Amazon gift card to help purchase any other items that they may need.
 
Thank you to the wonderful supporters who made this possible for our seniors! 
Showing Off Sewing Skills
Several BLCI parents have been hard at work this past year learning how to sew various items for themselves and their families! Their determination to learn this new skill paid off this month when they were able to participate in their own fashion show to display the items they have created.

The sewing program began in September of 2021 with seven parents and the help of Sra. Lucila from SDCCE. Parents committed to attending the class once per week for four hours to learn the basics of sewing.

As the parents gained familiarity with the machines, they created facemasks. As they perfected their skills, they learned to create pajama sets for themselves and their children. The fashion show provided an opportunity for them to share their pajama sets and showcased their binders with all of their notes.

BLCI parents are required to volunteer or participate in workshops for 30 hours each year, with many choosing to use this time to advance their own skills. The seven parents who have completed the sewing program will have the opportunity to begin Level 2 of the sewing program in the fall semester. 
Trip To ZIP Launchpad
20 students and 4 parents joined BLCI Chula Vista Staff Nadia and Tom for an exciting tour of the SDSU ZIP Launchpad! The SDSU staff were extremely helpful and had a wonderful session set up for the students.

After learning about the startup lab and seeing examples of rapid prototyping that originated at ZIP, the students had their own chance to develop an app prototype! The staff first led a brief demo, and then helped students bring their app design to life using prototyping software.

We are grateful to Union Bank for sponsoring this trip, and for SDSU and the Zip Launchpad for such a wonderful summer visit! 
CSP Preps For UC Applications
Rising seniors have been hard at work before school begins working on their Personal Insight Questions for the University of California applications! The UC application asks students to respond to any 4 of 8 available prompts intended to get a better perspective of the student’s life experiences, interests and personality.

The College Success Program at the Barrio Logan site has been offering drop-in assistance to students four times a week, Monday through Wednesday from 11am to 3pm and Thursdays from 2 to 5pm. Students have been required to attend at least once a week for at least an hour but are welcome to come in more if they need to.

We’re excited to see all of the great things our class of 2023 will accomplish! 
Summer Tips from SDGE
Help make California’s energy grid stronger, safer and more reliable for all Californians this summer – and get paid for it too! The Power Saver Rewards program rewards you for lowering your electricity use when energy is in high demand. This summer, it pays to be flexible.

Here is how it works. Increased demand for cooling on hot summer days strains the electrical grid and creates a higher risk of power outages. If you are eligible and can reduce your energy use during a Power Saver event between the peak hours of 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., you may receive a bill credit. The more energy you conserve, the more you can save!

Participation is voluntary and there is no penalty if you are unable to conserve energy. It’s a win-win because you’ll save on your monthly energy bill and contribute to a cleaner environment. Visit sdge.com/PowerSaver to enroll or find out more about the program. 
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Have questions about our newsletter? Email Marvens Pierre at marvens@blci.org