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Albert's Story
Albert was a seven-year-old boy struggling with some very difficult issues. His teachers at the Charter School could see that he suffered from a negative self-image, often telling them, "I'm dumb." Albert would give up easily on classroom tasks and then distract other students with his antics.
Two years ago, teachers recommended that Albert repeat first grade, but his parents declined, and he was enrolled in the second grade. Even with intensive work with Charter School staff, Albert continued to struggle; he was always on the edge of failing. When famed British art educator Malcolm Wray began workshops at the school, Albert seemed to transform. He instantly perked up and was absorbed by the material and lessons. After Wray’s departure, Albert continued using the techniques he learned in the workshop. His teacher was especially impressed when Albert turned to the internet to research the difference between rural and urban life after for a social studies project.
Principal Norma Silva, impressed with Albert’s initiative and talent, asked Albert and his parents if she could hang one of his pictures in the school office – they happily agreed. Albert, beaming with self-confidence and a joy of learning, began to participate in school activities with a new sense of success. Today, he is receiving passing grades, no longer in danger of retention.
As part of his new-found enthusiasm for school, Albert has immersed himself in Writer’s Workshop activities, and now considers himself as a writer and a poet. When asked what he likes about school, Albert responded, “My teacher told me that I can do anything I put my mind to and to never give up. She makes me feel great!
Leslie's Story
Leslie can see her future again thanks to the work of Para Los Niños. Suffering from a terminal disease and the insensitivity of the doctors who used her to translate to her parents and tell them of her state, Leslie came to Para Los Niños emotionally distraught.
A sickly child, ten-year-old Leslie has had her share of doctor visits. None will ever compare to the one she had last year. As Leslie’s parents do not speak English, her doctors would often give Leslie the information about her health and ask her to pass the information on to her mother and father. On this fateful day, they told Leslie that she was dying; they then asked her to tell her parents. Shocked and in disbelief, Leslie proceeded to share the terrible news.
Needless to say, Leslie’s parents were horrified and Leslie was traumatized. They called upon Para Los Niños to help them through this painful time. They met with a case worker, Luis, who offered psychological support and explained Leslie’s patient rights to her parents. Leslie’s doctors should not have used her as a translator. Luis went to the hospital to personally speak with the doctors and staff working on Leslie’s case. Luis also collaborated with the hospital’s social services department to ensure Leslie and her parents would receive information about her health status, course of treatment, and recovery in the right way.
Luis didn’t stop there. He teamed up with Make-a-Wish Foundation to get Leslie a laptop. He also researched her illness and found an experimental treatment at a reputable university. Leslie’s doctor conducted additional research on the treatment and decided to use the treatment with Leslie.
Leslie responded extremely well to the course of treatment and is now on the road to recovery. The family continues to see Luis to help them fill out forms and find financial aid for Leslie’s expensive treatments. Leslie’s parents have grown close to the caseworker and say he’s just like one of the family.
Margarita's Story
Margarita has a big smile on her face these days. After battling severe depression brought on by her mother’s drug addiction and months of living in foster care, Margarita now lives a peaceful life with her father.
Fourteen-year-old Margarita was referred to Para Los Niños' Mental Health Services by her County case worker. Margarita had been removed from her mother's care due to her mother's drug use. Unfortunately, this turn of events left Margarita severely depressed, with thoughts of suicide. Margarita’s condition was so poor that Para Los Niños immediately arranged for psychiatric hospitalization for the heartbroken girl.
When Margarita was released from the hospital, she returned to Para Los Niños for outpatient care. Medication and therapy had relieved the worst of her symptoms, but Margarita was still a very troubled girl. She did not respond to her foster mother, and was faring poorly in school. Para Los Niños’ therapists – with the help of Margarita’s caring foster mother – helped Margarita cope with her situation. The therapists also reached out to Margarita’s mother. Sadly, Margarita’s mother, deep into her drug addiction, refused to help Margarita.
Soon, though, a relative of Margarita’s long-absent father discovered that Margarita was living in foster care. Her father had no idea of his daughter’s circumstances. With the help of her therapists, Margarita reconnected with her father, and her depression lifted. Margarita was able to discontinue the use of medication, and her case was closed when she successfully reunited with her father and his family.
Rafael's Story
Rafael just won the “most improved” award in our After-school Program! Thanks to his teacher’s close attention to his individual needs, Rafael went from being a fast-talking, trouble-making second grader, to a hard working, spirited student.
Seven-year-old Rafael was the kind of child that most would label as troubled. Talking a million miles a minute, he never sat still and seemed to delight in the distraction he could cause around him. Teachers would call to him multiple times to get his attention before he would look at them. When Rafael first came to the After-school Program, he refused to bring his backpack with him – containing his homework. Para Los Niños’ After-school teachers identified that he needed more personalized attention, so they worked with him one-on-one. And, more quickly than anyone anticipated, Rafael discovered an enthusiasm for learning. Soon, Rafael was participating fully in the After-school Program. Rafael even began helping other students with their homework. For his efforts, Rafael won the program’s “most improved” award – a turn of events that left Rafael and his mother in tears. As Rafael’s teacher said, “Now that is what this job is all about!.”
Victor's Story
Victor knows the value of hard work. Arriving to Para Los Niños' Youth Center with failing grades, Victor has worked his way to passing grades and discovered a determination to succeed he never knew he had.
At seventeen, Victor arrived at the Youth Center looking like a tough and troubled teenager. He wore baggy pants and shirts, and had a gruff manner and a history of destructive behavior. Victor’s family life was difficult; his parents struggled with job loss and the drug addiction of Victor’s sibling.
Victor was failing all his high school courses, and was often approached by gang members, who wrongly assumed he was one of them. Victor saw the Youth Center as a refuge from his chaotic life. Underneath his rough exterior was a young man who was caring, innovative, and smart.
Although Victor instantly loved the Youth Center program, the program supervisor had to inform Victor that he would be expelled from the program because of his failing grades. Crestfallen, Victor made a deal with the supervisor: if he could stay, he would participate in all Youth Center activities, complete his school assignments, and raise his grades. The supervisor readily agreed. Victor, committed to his agreement, began to work hard on his schoolwork, even taking assignments along on Center field trips. He sought out daily tutoring, and joined a wide variety of Youth Center activities, including participating in the Los Angeles Youth Leadership Council, Arte Sano, and the carpentry and auto mechanics class.
When he completed his personal portfolio, he earned a spot in the Youth Center’s annual Yosemite camping trip. Victor is now easily passing all his classes, and continues to work hard to improve his grades. When asked how he did it, Victor said, “It was easy! I simply did all my work!”
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