Life on the front page
Young writers find a voice through El Centro’s Youth Ambassador Program
By Samantha Sincock 07/02/2009
With the help of grant funding, the nonprofit El Centro de Acción Social is publishing two separate newsletters at Washington Middle School and John Muir High School that are by, for and about youth grappling with troubles at home and school.
The Youth Ambassador Program began last fall and publishes annual newsletters at each school, covering such topics as drug abuse, avoiding pressure to join gangs, youth violence and even problems relating to teachers. “Ambassadors” (student journalists) draw on their own experiences at home and in the classroom as well as those of their peers, with articles focusing on messages of nonviolence and mutual respect.
The question is: Who is hearing — or more accurately, reading — these messages?
On June 9, students presented their newsletters, also distributed at El Centro and the schools where they are produced, to the Pasadena Board of Education.
While a number of board members told the paper they knew little about the program, Board member Bob Harrison expressed great enthusiasm for the students’ work and its promise to make a difference.
“The way I understand it is these kids work out alternative ways to handle things such as violence and drugs, and that is exactly what we are looking for and what we should do,” said Harrison. “I hope this program continues and that these kinds of things keep on going.”
Hoping to expand the program beyond the public schools, El Centro Executive Director Randy Ertll appreciates the support. “It’s very encouraging,” he said. “The principals and the district are excited about this program and we want [the community] to take part in it as well.”
Each school’s five-student group works like journalists, gathering facts and conducting interviews to cover not only what the schools may need to improve on in the long run, but also more immediate issues students need to know about.
“Recently there was a story about a teacher attacked by a colleague’s wife who snuck onto [the John Muir] campus. A lot of students did not know about the attack, but because of the newsletter are now questioning why security is so easy to breach,” said El Centro administrative assistant Coralito Albares.
The Youth Ambassador Program teaches students to use their First Amendment rights and leadership skills to inspire positive change. While most participants are writing stories mainly to help other students at their schools, some hope to use their voice to influence life beyond the classroom.
“I became an ambassador to address and hopefully change the drug abuse and violence within my community,” said Raymond Jackson, who recently completed the eighth grade at Washington Middle School.
While Jackson heard about the program on the Washington campus, Muir participant Adriana Belatorre was inspired to join through her participation with other El Centro programs.
“I worked for El Centro before I became an ambassador, but when I heard about this opportunity to help my community I could not wait to start,” said Belatorre, who will attend Sacramento State University in the fall with hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher.
Belatorre’s stories focused on improving the educational experience. “I really want the staff, especially the principal, to read my writings,” she said. “I hope to return to Pasadena and become a role model in young children’s lives.”
Jackson also has large ambitions. “One day I hope to become a spokesperson and run events to help youth overcome peer pressure within their society,” he said.
El Centro’s work doesn’t end with its Youth Ambassador Program. A free summer school program at its headquarters in Pasadena’s Central Park began June 25 and will continue Mondays through Fridays throughout July. It aims to help students in kindergarten through the 12th grade who are struggling in math, social studies and English.
But it isn’t just about what El Centro can do. Ertll and Albares hope that their ambassador program will influence other schools and organizations to try similar programs.
“It is not about how many stories go out or the overall composition of the stories,” said Ertll. “It is about the messages being written and that the students are heard.”
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