Then and Now: Catching Up with Day Home Alumni
Day Home Alum Jessica Angeles Continues to Give to Children
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Jessica Angeles with Dawn Macy, the center's associate director |
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We wrote about Day Home alum and volunteer Jessica Angeles three years ago, as she graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School and was headed to Cal State Fullerton. Now entering her senior year with a major in child and adolescent studies, Jessica continues her volunteerism. She was recently honored by the university’s Center for Internships & Community Engagement, receiving the "Outstanding Student Leader" award. Jessica volunteered with the center's Jumpstart program, working with local preschool children to help them build language, literacy and social skills. She gave more than 450 hours of service—twice the amount of service-learning coursework required for her major. Angeles also is the president of the university's new Jumpstart Club, an AmeriCorps program. Way to go Jessica!
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Jermel Thomas
| Jermel believes that if you set your mind to something you can do it, and recommends that families "...set your goals high for your children." |
Jermel Thomas attended the Day Home as a young child and remembers the speech therapy classes she received, and how much she enjoyed them.
Since then, Jermel has graduated from University of San Francisco (USF) Law School, along the way picking up several awards for her presentation skills. Jermel recently passed the California Bar exam on her first attempt!
Jermel was raised by a single mom and grandma. She says that when she was a child she was always told, “You’re gonna go to college.” That mantra fueled her determination.
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Matthew Dalton DePalm
When Matt DePalm was a 3-year-old attending the Day Home, Sister Adrienne noticed a problem with his gait, and brought it to mom Audrey’s attention.
Matt was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. Keen observation and a successful surgery saved Matt’s life.
Matt has just graduated from Antioch High School and is headed for California State University at Chico. Matt’s talents don’t end with the academics. He is a lifeguard, and plays drums for his alternative rock band Embers, which has cut its first album and is negotiating promotional opportunities with Hollywood Records.
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Jessica Angeles
Jessica Angeles remembers how nice all the teachers were at the Day Home when she attended as a tot. Jessica has returned to volunteer with us for the past three years, this summer serving as a teacher’s assistant for the 2-year old class. Jessica just graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland and is headed for Cal State Fullerton where she will study Theatre.
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