A Few Minutes with Jonathan Arevalo

Jonathan Arevalo, Workforce Readiness Specialist, Achievement Academy

Leadership has long been Jonathan Arevalo’s hallmark, going back to when he was school president at Madison High School and later, Mesa College.

In his current role at the Achievement Academy, a division of the San Diego Housing Commission, he leads with smarts and soul, always seeking to be an agent of positive change.

Since its launch in 2010, SDHC’s Achievement Academy has provided learning tools and resources for career planning, job skills and personal financial education. These programs are offered at no cost to Section 8 rental voucher participants and public housing residents.

A San Diego native, Jonathan joined the Achievement Academy in 2014, following several years as a social worker with the County of San Diego. Prior to that, he earned a BA degree in political science and ethnic studies at UC San Diego and a master’s in educational leadership from San Diego State.

As he says, “My passion has always been teaching the value of education.”

What’s the involvement of LISC?
LISC San Diego in partnership with Citi foundation provides $200,000 in grant funding for their Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs), as well as the Bridge to Career Opportunities (BCOs) program. Plus, the guidance and direction we get from their staff has always been invaluable.

What is your role at the Achievement Academy?
My primary role is Workforce Readiness Specialist, working with our participants who currently receive a housing subsidy and are in need of our services.

How do you measure success?
When I feel the steps we’ve taken have enabled that person to become self-sufficient, that’s a positive outcome.

What have you learned about your role?
I’ve learned it doesn’t matter how hard I work as a case manager, it’s ultimately up to each individual we try to help to make the decision to change their life. That’s a hard reality to accept. But in order for me to be impactful, I need them to meet me half-way.

What are some of your challenges?
Of course, the challenges are different for each participant. Some of them come to us thinking we’re going to solve all their problems. The reality is much more complex because it’s a step-by-step process, one that takes longer for some than for others. My message will always be: We’re here for you.

What’s the biggest obstacle you face?
That we’re dealing with a lot of generational poverty, which takes time and a long-term commitment to eradicate. Changing lives is always more complex than simply providing services.  It’s about changing lives for the better.

What is it about you that makes you devoted to your work?
Mostly, it has to do with the struggles I had when I was growing up. I’m the first-generation in my family to go to college. As immigrants, my parents sacrificed a lot for me to have a better future, and I appreciate that every day.

Jonathan Arevalo
Workforce Readiness Specialist
Achievement Academy
San Diego Housing Commission
619.578.7452
jonathana@sdhc.org