Los Alamitos, USA – A Head Start on the Road to Achieving Brian’s Dreams – Sep 2015

Brian was a typical teenager still finding his way in the world, confidence in himself with big dreams for the future. He came to the Youth Center’s Leadership Academy during the summer of 2013 seeking to better himself so he could attain his goal of becoming a pediatrician by attending UCLA.

Bright and precocious, Brian, 18, was the eldest of five children living in middle to lower class family. His father had passed away when he was 12 years old, and his mother worked full time as a hair dresser in a local salon, surviving on low income HUD housing and survivor’s benefits from Brian’s father.

Brian’s dream was to improve the lives of his mother and four siblings, to raise them out of poverty, provide them with security and to help his fellow man. Some might say that’s a tall order, but Brian knew deep down that if he worked hard and kept faith in himself that someday he’d accomplish his life’s dreams.

At the Leadership Academy, Brian learned many new skills to carry him beyond high school, into college and eventually into maturity. He attended workshops on Self and Social Efficacy, Goal Setting with Dreamboard, Auto Maintenance and Knowledge, Financial Skills, Home Economics, and Career Skills.

The hardest struggle for Brian was in the Self and Social Efficacy workshop because he came from such a challenging background. He struggled to learn about emotional, physical and spiritual well-being, building self-esteem and boosting confidence, conflict resolution and the importance of community involvement. In Goal Setting with Dreamboard, he also struggled but learned to visualize his dreams online, how to create SMART goals through motivation, accountability, clarity and connection, how to keep track of his life’s journey, and how to share it with family and friends for support.

On a more practical side, Brian learned about Auto Maintenance and Knowledge, something he could use and show his mother about. He learned about an auto maintenance schedule, types of, checking and changing oil, checking the battery, tire pressure and how to change a tire. He felt it was very useful since he wanted to get a car soon. He also learned what documents to keep in the car in the event of being pulled over by police, about insurance coverage and costs, about roadside assistance and travel planning.

To be more self-sufficient at home and help out his siblings, Brian was also challenged to learn more practical skills instead of having his mother and sisters do all the work at home. In the Home Economics workshop he learned for the first time how to do laundry, how to plan and shop for a healthy diet, about food safety and storage, and how to prepare and serve a meal. He shared with us that he “wowed” his mother by being a greater help around the home.

Brian knew he needed to learn financial skills in order to succeed in his goal of wanting to attend college and making life better for his mother and siblings. In the Financial Skills workshops he learned such things as making a budget, savings, about car loans and fraud protection. Although he had a part-time job as a clerk in a local supermarket, Brian needed to also learn how to use an ATM, about credit card and checking account management, setting aside funds for charity and what important papers he’d need to keep records with.

Eventually, Brian wanted to go to work as an emergency medical technician to get closer to his goals of working as a doctor someday. In the first of two Career Skills workshop, he learned how to create a resume and cover letter, establishing a professional email, about job search sites and agencies, and about using social media for employment. At the second Career Skills workshop he learned interview strategies and techniques, how to dress for the workplace and had a photo session with a professional photographer.

Finally, at his graduation ceremony from the Youth Center Leadership Academy, Brian was awarded certificates from a state assemblyman, the City of Los Alamitos and from the Youth Center. This recognition was an ideal addition to his professional resume and college application.

This year, Brian returned to the Youth Center to help mentor other Leadership Academy students and to share his experience. At the graduation, he spoke a few words on his valuable experiences in each of the workshops. “The Leadership Academy has improved my knowledge and skill sets, helping me to get on track with my goal of attending UCLA, becoming a pediatrician and helping to better care for my family,” he said. “I can now see myself succeeding in my goals, and giving back to society.”

He never forgot where he came from, about the Leadership Academy’s life lessons, his mother and siblings and the community of Los Alamitos who helped him along the way. “Thanks to the Youth Center’s Leadership Academy, I’m attaining my goals, helping my family and the community. Their spark gave me a head start on the road to achieving my dreams. I am very grateful.”