SJC Youth Malik to Become First Resident of New Youth Housing in Santa Monica

Malik Jackson with St. Joseph Center case manager Melodie Vatandoust. Through the Youth Resource Team (YRT) program, Melodie and her colleagues supported Malik as he worked toward stability, graduation, and a brighter future.

At age 14, I used to head the other direction whenever I saw my case manager, Melodie, coming.

No joke. If I spotted her walking toward me at school, I’d make a quick turn down another hallway like I was running a fast break. Back then, I didn’t understand why people were trying so hard to connect with me. When you’ve been through hard times, it takes a while to believe people are actually on your side. To me, it just felt like another adult asking questions I wasn’t ready to answer. So, I kept my distance.

One thing about the Youth Resource Team at St. Joseph Center is they don’t give up on young people.

My case manager kept showing up at school and at my house. Wherever I happened to be, they were there. At first, I thought they were doing way too much. But after a while, I realized something. They weren’t there to judge me or make my life harder. They were showing up because they actually cared. Melodie always told me the goal was just to bring me home with love, and eventually, that consistency started to break through.

Eventually, I realized it was okay to stop running and start trusting.

Finding a Community That Shows Up

I gave them a chance and sat down for a real conversation. YRT is a community that helps young people develop and pursue their personal goals while also building strong relationships with their peers, mentors, and inspiring community members. One meeting turned into more, and slowly I started to understand what St. Joseph Center and YRT were all about. They weren’t just trying to check boxes. They were trying to build a team around me.

“YRT is a community that helps young people develop and pursue their personal goals while also building strong relationships with their peers, mentors, and inspiring community members.”

What made the biggest difference was that it wasn’t just one person helping me. It was a whole community of adults and mentors who worked together. My case manager, staff from the Youth Resource Team, mentors, and community partners all played a role. They helped me focus on the basics: housing, school, and stability, while also encouraging me to think bigger about my future.

Everywhere I turned, there was someone showing up with support. That kind of collaboration mattered more than I can explain. When things felt heavy, there were multiple people reminding me that I mattered and that my future mattered, too. My mom was doing everything she could to support me, and the program stayed in close communication with her so we could all stay on the same page.

Representation and Mentorship Matter

Another big piece for me was seeing strong Black male role models and mentors who understood where I was coming from. Representation matters, and seeing people who looked like me, believed in me, and expected the best from me helped me start believing in myself, too.

Building a Future

Over time, I got more involved in the community and began focusing on my goals. With YRT’s support, I graduated from high school and am preparing to attend Santa Monica College, something I’m really proud of. At the same time, I’ve been learning how to navigate co-parenting and raising my four-year-old daughter, Naomi.

She’s one of the biggest reasons I keep pushing forward every day. Watching her grow up and seeing her happy gives me hope for the future. Being able to raise her better than I was is everything to me.

“My daughter, Naomi, watching her grow up and seeing her happy gives me hope for the future and being able to raise her better than I was.”

A New Chapter of Stability

Right now, I’m in Santa Monica getting ready for another big step. Soon, I’ll be moving into Berkeley Station. For me, it represents more than just housing. It’s a symbol of stability, progress, and the support system that helped me get here.

Looking back, it’s kind of crazy to think about how this journey started, with me sprinting down hallways trying to avoid my case manager.

If you had told that version of me that one day I’d graduate high school, be raising my daughter, studying business, and preparing to move into my own place, I probably would’ve laughed and kept running. But the truth is, sometimes the people who refuse to give up on you are exactly the people you need.

“Anyone with a similar story won’t be afraid to ask for help like I did, and they’ll be able to get all of the support they need.”

The Beloved Community

St. Joseph Center CEO Dr. Ryan Smith often talks about the idea of the Beloved Community: a place where people are truly seen, valued, and supported. When I think about my journey, that’s exactly what this program gave me.

A community that didn’t just show up once, but kept showing up until I believed in myself, too.

Sometimes, the people who refuse to give up on you are exactly the people who help you find your way.