LAUSD recently released an article about a new initiative within schools.
I think the new program by LAUSD is a great step towards providing young people with stable role-models.
One of the most valuable things I did in college was join the YWCA.
I joined to become a Big Sister to young at-risk girls in the local Berkeley Unified School District. After I joined, the volunteer organizers asked if I would be willing to work with a young boy because there were so many more young boys who needed mentors. At the time there were around 87 young boys and 16 young girls who had signed up. Although I had never considered the idea, once I saw the numbers I could not resist.
I met a young boy named, “M”. He was 11 at the time. He was tall for his age, almost 5’6”. He was soft spoken and very polite. M had four brothers. He told me that his mom had to drive far away from work and his dad was in and out of the picture. M told me his older brother was mostly in charge of helping him with his day-to-day life, like getting to school, making dinner, and completing homework assignments. M’s brother had just turned 18 at the time so it was a lot for him to handle.
Right away M and I got along. He would tell me things that I had not considered before. He told me about the time he slept on a park bench or the time he tried drinking. At the time I was very young and did not know about mandatory reporting. Instead, I would talk to M about why he was choosing to do those things. He would tell me that he did things that sounded fun and I would ask him if his brother or his mom would be happy if they found out.
One time M cheated on his girlfriend. He must’ve been about 12 at the time. I asked him how he would feel if someone had done that to me. He said he would be really angry. I asked him how he thought the young girl’s family would feel if they found out. We had these sorts of conversations often.
When I met M he was on academic probation and one step away from being kicked out of school. By his freshman year he was playing football on the varsity team (he just kept getting bigger!). He was keeping his grades up and on his way to becoming the wonderful young man he is now.
I think about M often. He didn’t choose the hand he was dealt. His life was precarious. It took one person to see the good in him to help him change his trajectory. This holds true for so many kids. We often forget that even 12 & 13 year old kids are still kids.
I am excited for this new program within LAUSD. I hope the program is a success and is able to expand beyond the initial trials. I think if our country wants to have a strong legacy, we need to step up and care for our children. We need to prioritize their education and their stability so they can become strong and mentally healthy, and go on to live fulfilling lives.
Apricus Academy 