A senior at San Diego High School of International Studies was awarded the Princeton Prize in Race Relations Friday for helping refugees in Tijuana.
Yulvi Reyes created workshops in Tijuana specifically designed for young people who are at risk of being exploited through human trafficking, according to a statement by the Princeton Prize in Race Relations Committee of San Diego.
“A mass of refugees has become an issue for the communities bordering the countries of the U.S. and Mexico. These refugees are underserved and have no option but to live in the streets of Tijuana,” said Yulvi Reyes, in a statement on her GoFundMe page.
“A drive for resources will be spread throughout San Diego. Everything from food to books will be distributed to the refugees.”
The workshops aimed to help Haitian refugees of all ages, and especially young people, learn skills that help their future to avoid prostitution and drug trafficking, according to the page.
“I am a youth leader in the Barrio Logan community, who growing up in Tijuana, learned how important help is when you are confronted with similar challenges,” said Reyes.
The money raised will send the Tijuana underprivileged youth to receive an education at a local school, according to the page. She said the workshops were created to prevent young people from being economically exploited and unfairly used.
Three other local students, Erika Gutierrez, Olia Javidi, and Leslie Martinez were recognized with a certificate of accomplishment for their efforts. All of the students will be honored in a ceremony beginning May 7 at the San Diego Yacht Club.
As the regional winner, Reyes will receive a $1,000 cash award and an all-expense paid trip to attend the Princeton Prize Symposium on Race at the university campus.
“Yulvi networked around both cities, San Diego and Tijuana, and spread the word about her project,” the statement said. “After creating a website, numerous emails, Facebook posts, flyers, and videos, she was able to get the help of a lot of people, especially other students.”
The award is given to high school students across the country who have advanced the cause of positive race relations in their schools or communities.
“Every action as little as it seems is enormous to me and to those being helped,” said Reyes on her GoFundMe page.
City News Service contributed to this article.
