Background

The Young and Prosperous Foundation was started because I believe mentoring matters. I grew up in the community of Southeast San Diego during a time where gang violence and crime in the city was at an all-time high. Growing up during this time, there was little to no resources for young people, so sports became a major outlet for many young youths in the community.

They would spend most of their time on the basketball court and on the football field, so coaches in the community became role models, mentors, and many of them father figures. Before starting this non-profit, I reflected on my time as a youth and thought about how much further in life I would be if I had a program that introduced me to work readiness, career tours, financial literacy, interviewing techniques, and a basic understanding and importance of a college education. That is what the Young and Prosperous Foundation offers youths.

My time of reflection, turned into an idea of giving youths opportunities I wasn’t afforded. The idea then turned into the Young and Prosperous Foundation. It will provide the the skills needed to be successful later in life, while preparing them to succeed today.