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!”
Fast Facts
More than 6 million children go home alone each week.
------
A child in California is born into poverty every 5 minutes.
------
A child in California is abused or neglected every 4 minutes.
