JCNI AND ACCESS YOUTH ACADEMY REACH AGREEMENT ON SALE OF LAND TO BUILD AN INNOVATIVE SQUASH AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH IN SOUTHEASTERN SAN DIEGO
The northwest corner of Guymon Street & Euclid Avenue will be transformed to become the new home of the sports-based youth enrichment program Access Youth Academy (Access). Access will become the new owners of the 0.86 acre, 37,500SF property, which is a part of Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation’s (JCNI) Town Center Master Plan. JCNI’s agreement with Access to bring their innovative squash and education center to Southeastern San Diego, fulfills the Town Center Master Plan’s vision of allocating select sites to create new educational opportunities in the community.
“One of the guiding principles in JCNI’s Town Center Master Plan is to bring high quality education and enrichment options to the community. We are delighted that Access Youth Academy will locate their beautiful, state-of-the-art facility here, in one of the communities they serve. It will be a real community asset, too, available to members of the community when not used for Access Youth’s academic enrichment and wellness programs,” says Richard Seges, VP of Real Estate, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation.
Access uses the sport of squash and educational support programs to keep underserved middle and high school students (primarily from Southeastern San Diego and City Heights) in school, and assists their transition to college. Access programs provide guidance to building essential life skills for our youth, enabling them to become more responsible and honorable adults. Access’s mission is to invest in youth from some of San Diego’s underserved neighborhoods and provide them the skills, inspiration and confidence to reach their full potential.
Access’s new facility will include squash courts, locker rooms, three classrooms for academic studies and tutoring sessions, lab for college prep and admissions assistance, conference room for meetings and workshops, computer technology center, multi-purpose meeting rooms, staff offices, and parent lounge. The squash courts will include seven singles squash courts and the ONLY doubles court in the San Diego area! Additionally, the Access facility will be available to members of the community, including evenings and weekends. Access’s vision is that this facility will serve as a true resource to community.
Aerial view from southeast corner
Entry from Euclid Ave
View from Euclid Ave (East)
“The new facility will greatly expand our capability to serve many more youth in partnership with several middle schools and high schools,” says Renato Paiva, Executive Director of Access Youth Academy. Students have been shown to exhibit high academic achievements such as:
- 100% high school graduation rate
- Average GPA of 3.5 +
- 100% college acceptance rate
- Securing over $5 Million in earned scholarships
- 13 National Urban Squash Titles Wins
- Over 1000+ hours of community service
Access Youth Academy aims to create a culture of healthy lifestyle and exercise, encouraging students to find the discipline and dedication to unlock their potential and achieve their goals. They ensure and advocate that family members are involved in the transformation process so they can witness the progress of their children as they mature into the next phase of their lives.
Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is excited to welcome Access Youth Academy to the Diamond!
For more information about AYA and the amazing work they do, visit http://accessyouthacademy.org/