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This is "Impact," from the University of California, Merced.
Vera Reyes was raised in the small agricultural town of Dos Palos where she spent summers
picking blueberries. She never believed she'd attend a University of California campus. But
that changed when she joined Adventure Risk Challenge, a 40-day leadership and literacy
program in Yosemite National Park. The program is run by the University of California, Merced,
and UC Berkeley. "My favorite part of the program was being away from parents and being
able to challenge myself and overcome many obstacles. The program revealed to me my weaknesses
and strengths." Reyes is now a UC Merced freshman studying biology, and she hopes to
give back to the program as an intern next year.
While Adventure Risk Challenge focuses on building leadership and knowledge among high
school students, UC Merced is also working to connect researchers with community groups
dedicated to improving the lives of young people. "There are many of us who believe
that there is an important responsibility and role we have. The role of research in
not only illuminating and highlighting the realities in the Valley but the role of research
to illustrate successful interventions, for example." A recent conference organized
by the Chancellor's Task Force on Community Engaged Scholarship and sponsored by the Building
Healthy Communities initiative drew more than 180 Valley residents interested in learning
more about successful youth programs. "We really don't have the resources to do longitudinal
studies. Partnering with the UC and others who have that research base and background
certainly can aid us in telling our story." This is Erik Alvarez reporting.
For more news about the University of California, Merced, visit our website.