By: David Grazian, Founder and Executive Director of Youth N.O.W.
There is something about experiencing success that makes you want more of it. It’s addictive. On the other hand, if you are failing repeatedly, especially when you are young, you can become convinced that you will continue to fail. I call this, the downward spiral of failure. Until you become convinced that you can succeed, failing repeatedly will make you expect failure. Words alone, such as ‘good job’, or “keep trying” are not enough, we have to help young people experience the spiral of success. In 2009, I retired as a corporate tax professional to inspire success.
Today, my dream is a reality. I call it Youth N.O.W. For me, Youth N.O.W. is an expression of love. My vision was to start a student center that helped students find their confidence and to support them with their academics. I was intentional in creating an encouraging space for students to get help with their homework, and I wanted a coffee house to provide a safe social place for students to gather for fun activities, enrichment experiences, and be supported by mentors. I decided to become that person in their life that believed in them, encouraged them, and helped them experience success.
My staff and many of our volunteers share my vision and passion. Together we have created a culture of love and encouragement that is experienced by our students and our broader community. Within this atmosphere of love and support, we tackle serious issues in the Watsonville community. For example, only 54% have high school degrees and only 9% have a bachelors degree or higher, and many students do not have the support at home they need.
Julio, a sixth grade student, was brought to us by his mother. His school counselor was concerned about his failing grades, all D’s and F’s, and lack of discipline. His behavior became a real problem. At first, he refused to do homework and didn’t listen to our staff. I believe that an important characteristic of love is patience, so that’s what we practiced. Most importantly, we didn’t give up, we believed in him, even when he didn’t believe in himself. We gave him an opportunity to build his self-esteem and to experience success.
At the end of the school year, Julio gave an acceptance speech for being the most improved Middle School Student at our annual event. He told his story while his mother listened with tears running down her face. Julio now has all A’s and B’s. Most importantly, he said, “I will go to college!” He found self-confidence and experienced the upward spiral of success. He would have looked for confidence elsewhere; instead he found it within himself.
Youth N.O.W. is dedicated to helping students experience this “conditioning of success” so that they start building upon it in all areas of their life. Yes, they will experience failure from time to time, but they will pick themselves up and try again because they believe in their ability to succeed. They know it because they have already experienced it. You can help a young person change their view of themselves and their future by helping them experience success. I love my work. Every day I get to walk alongside young people, helping them experience the upward spiral of success.
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