Friends for Youth is a program founded in 1979 that helps kids who have a troubled background by supporting them academically and assisting them in other areas of their lives. One hundred percent of the participants in Friends for Youth are living in poverty, 90% have been affected by abuse and 20% have an incarcerated parent.
At Sequoia, Friends for Youth offers one-on-one time with mentors specially selected for their hobbies, interests and skill sets to best match the students and their needs. These mentors show passion for helping program members improve their lives by giving them someone to look up to. This organization also gives students a trusted adult to talk to because 81% of the students in Friends for Youth do not have one in their lives.
The Friends for Youth program at Sequoia meets in the MPR (multi-purpose room) on Thursday Flex; it begins with a 15-minute talk, and then students head to the quad to eat fast food like In-N-Out and burritos from Taqueria El Rincon and socialize with friends and mentors.
Jasmine E. Cardenas, Associate Program Coordinator, has worked for Friends for Youth for the past six years and has a great passion for the program.
“I fell in love with the work that Friends for Youth offered, being able to create safe spaces for students at school so they can be themselves and feel supported without judgment. I’m grateful to pay it forward and offer this opportunity to students in my own community,” Cardenas said.
One of the reasons this program is so successful is because the Friends for Youth staff are passionate about helping students grow and ensuring their happiness and well-being.
Friends for Youth Participant Manager Roberto “Tito” Alvarez reflected on his experiences with the program.
“Through my work, I have witnessed numerous young individuals challenge themselves to practice self-love and empowerment. Many of these youth have overcome adversity, discovered their strengths and passions, and gone on to pursue higher education and become positive contributors to their communities by now serving the unsheltered,” Alverez said.
Alejandro Rodriguez-Sandoval, sophomore, and a Friends for Youth participant, has enjoyed participating in the program.
“They brought out food yesterday, they had a field trip to Alcatraz, you just kinda hang out every Thursday,” Rodriguez-Sandoval said.
Rodriguez-Sandoval recommends joining Friends for Youth.
“It’s better than normal flex because you get to eat and hang out with friends instead of just sitting in class,” Rodriguez-Sandoval said.
At the end of the day, Friends for Youth is fun for the students involved and it helps them grow up to have better lives.