Eighteen year old Rafa was born in Pakistan and lived there until he was in fourth grade. He is now a senior at an Eastside high school and his outgoing presence, personal creativity and generosity of spirit make him the perfect driving force behind the poetry/rap slams he helps organize.
But like many children with immigrant parents, Rafa is the liaison between his parents and the culture and language of the U.S. "By the time I got to high school I didn't know where I belonged," says Rafa. "I'm more American than my parents, but I don't fit easily into the white, Latino or black cliques and cultures at school."
As a freshman and sophomore, Rafa often feared for his safety at school. Racial slurs became shoving matches which escalated into physical threats and violence. "I decided to join a gang after I was shot at while walking home alone from school one night."
But Rafa knew he needed help and he found it from a Youth Eastside Services (YES) school-based counselor. His counselor helped him disassociate from his gang and introduced him to the Newcomer Program at YES. With the help of YES, he learned to cope with his feelings of isolation, embrace his dual cultures and find safety outside of a gang affiliation.
Rafa's story is just one of thousands of stories of youth who come to YES and - thanks to a giving community - find the help they need to meet and overcome the challenges they face.
Best Wishes,
Patti Skelton-McGougan
Executive Director
http://www.youtheastsideservices.org/
stock photo
Thanks to Exec Director Patti for this inspiring story about Rafa. We are very fortunate to have a local agency like YES to help young persons adjust and cope with the problems of modern society.
ReplyDeleteI wish Rafa and his parents all the best in their new life here in America.