What’s up PTW friends and family… Orange County…Los Angeles….Sacramento….Hope everyone is having a great Summer!! i would like to take the time to share that this will be my final week working with this amazing organization…..I consider myself privileged and fortunate to have worked and met so many wonderful people…ALL PTW youth & PTW Staff!!! I have been here since the beginning….it’s time to pass the torch to our newest instructor Monique….who has a passion for youth…definitely goes above and beyond the call of duty! I have seen many changes throughout the years…all have been for the better of this program…. Joe & Jake thanks for everything…nothing but love & respect for you guys! Sergio, I greatly appreciate everything you have done!!! Thanks!!! I leave with good memories that I will cherish always!
Take care & God bless!!!!
Audie
On Saturday, June 5th P2W had their 4th annual leadership conference. The day was filled with guest speakers, a cool concert, and free stuff. Sounds like tons of fun right?! It’s so nice to see so many people come together in support of our cause and organization. Things were amazing, even though it’s always difficult to facilitate an event of this size (there were over 150 teens and quite a few parents). Fortunately, thanks to the cooperation and good behavior of everyone there, the conference was a success!
Everyone who spoke and performed did an incredible job, but what I felt was most touching and had the greatest impact was the teen guest speakers from the Phoenix House. These young ladies and gentlemen were brave enough to sit in front of a huge group of their peers (whom they’d just met that morning) and share their stories. Not only were they eloquent and respectful, but most importantly, honest! I sat with them looking at the faces of everyone in the room listening intently as these 2 girls and 3 guys put their entire past on blast and give difficult details. Every person there, adults included, were so moved by their strength and perseverance. Some were moved to tears, other sat silently with a look of sorrowful understanding on their faces. It was so nice to hear so many people thank them for sharing and speak of how their story gave them hope.
So many have similar stories and yet feel so alone. It’s always uplifting to know that others not only understand, but can relate. These amazing people inspired everyone at the conference and are a great example of how anyone can overcome whatever they have been through and come on top a better and stronger person.
Monique Gutierrez,
PTW Orange County
Being Broke is no Joke It’s frustrating not having enough money! Now, I know that money is NOT the most important thing in our lives, but if we don’t have enough it causes frustration in our lives. Money is a huge issue; it has caused marriages to end up in divorce, others to slang drugs on the streets just to make ends meet. At the same time some women enter into prostitution while others try to stand in long lines in downtown to get government assistance. Being broke is no joke! I’m pointing out these different scenarios because it’s what we see in our neighborhoods and many of us can relate to them. I believe that none of the people that are struggling financially woke up one morning and said, “I want to be broke, I want to get married and get a divorce, and I want to be a prostitute.
NO! Unfortunately many have made bad decisions and now have to live with the consequences. Being broke is no joke! Grown folks who work hard and have children still have a hard time making ends meet. Having a child is not CHEAP!! You have to buy diapers, formula, clothes, get the baby vaccinated, etc. If grown folks struggle, then how much more will a young teenage girl who has become pregnant for the firs time? Stats show that it is rare for the father of the baby to end up staying with the girl. Now this teenage girl needs to work, go to school and be a mom. Even if the baby’s father does stay and help it will be difficult to find a job and help with the responsibilities. It’s difficult as it is now to take care of you, so can you imagine how much more difficult it will be to take care a baby. Remember that you can show love with out having SEX. Being broke is no joke! Teenage pregnancy has led many to be broke. Having a family can be amazing, but I encourage you to wait until you’re married.
Proud to Wait y Que no mas,
Alfredo “Chito” Rosado Alfredo “Chito” Rosado,
Instructor Proud To Wait! An Abstinence Project for Youth
California Hispanic Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse,
Inc. 2101 Capitol Avenue Sacramento, CA 95816
P. 916.443.5473 F. 916.443.1732 E. arosado@chcada.org
How’s everybody doing?
Well on my side it’s going good. Here’s the thing, how many times have you felt that you can’t accomplish anything in life because something that you did in the past is haunting you and keeping you from reaching that goal or dream? I recently was at an inner city high school in Los Angeles talking to some students who are on probation, or in placement homes. I was talking about relationships and the concept of renewed virginity when I realize that most of the students don’t believe a person can change. In other words, once you messed up you’re always a mess up. These students had no faith in themselves; they have been discouraged because they were surrounded by drugs, gangs and violence. Although it was discouraging for me to learn of this, I decided to hear them out to get a better understanding of where they are coming from. What struck me the most was that some of the students said that they don’t understand how people can change their ways or how they can improve their lives. They even went as far as saying their own parents and teachers believe they were failures. My heart completely sank. The only word that came to my head was “Wow ,” even the teachers do not believe in their students. How are we going to make this world a better place when all we do is bash on each other? Instead of building each other up, we tear them down. It’s sad to say that this is an everyday battle our youth face in America. Hearing the students express themselves, I had to tell them that their biggest enemy wasn’t their parents, it’s not their teachers, or their significant other; the only person that can hold you back from ever achieving anything in your life is yourself. Going back to the question I asked at the beginning of this blog, is it fair for us to stop pursuing our goals and dreams because of something we regret doing? No it’s not, but it’s a lot harder looking back than looking forward, and no matter the situation we can always overcome any odds that are holding us back. Life is a hike and we are going to climb some high mountains and cross some low valleys, but through it all, we can learn and accomplish what people doubted from us in the beginning. Yeah, there’s a bunch of haters out there, but let them hate. You don’t win anything by fighting or talking smack, but the greatest revenge is by accomplishing something that nobody believed you could accomplish. By proving them wrong, there is nothing they can say to you. To all the youth reading this, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. You might feel like you’re done and can’t move forward because of the situation at home or whatever, but don’t give up. Life isn’t easy but believe in the more you fight for what you want in life, the more precious it becomes to you.
You all have a Great Day,
JImmy Gomez
