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A Brief History of WYSE
WYSE was started in Los Angeles by Saru Jayaraman, a conscientious and dedicated undergraduate at UCLA. As a Los Angeles native, Saru was well aware of the need for role models and mentors for youth, especially for young women of color in the LA area. Working with staff from San Fernando Valley and Berendo Middle Schools, Saru and other UCLA students developed workshops in which college-age volunteers could facilitate discussions about topics such as sex education which were not appropriately or sufficiently discussed at school.Saru and a group of Yale Undergraduates and law students began the New Haven chapter in the fall of 1995. During the '95-'96 school year, WYSE serviced two LEAP groups and a class at Troup Middle School. WYSE is now an official class at Troup. In addition, WYSE groups have been established at the New Haven Juvenile Center and a homeless shelter.
WYSE has further expanded to Berkeley, Stanford, USC, San Diego and the University of Chicago. It is now incorporated as a national non-profit organization. In New Haven, we continue to solidify our connection with the New Haven community and foster friendships, fun, understanding, and education for young women.