MYLIFE caps successful year of building leaders in Pueblo By Jon Pompia Education, health, Colorado State Fair Posted Jul 20, 2020 at 11:21 AM
As 86 eighth graders from throughout Pueblo County will attest, preparing for life after high school begins long before high school actually begins. MYLIFE (Multicultural Youth Leadership Initiative For Excellence) is an eight-month program designed to develop leadership potential, with a strong commitment to community involvement, in young men and women. Launched as a project for the Pueblo Leadership Class of 2007, this program has, over 13 years, served more than 840 eighth graders. The core of the program centers around solid decision-making, community involvement, preparing for the future and the importance of values. “No matter your GPA or your attendance record, it all starts new at the ninth grade,” said Jeanette Garcia, MYLIFE chair. “Middle schools select students whom they believe will build their leadership skills through these positive experiences. “By providing students this opportunity, it gives them time to prepare for options they will have upon high school graduation.” With program expenses about $185 per student, grants from El Pomar Foundation and the Garcia Foundation help alleviate the financial burden.
“Many strong partnerships have, over the years, provided opportunities with in-kind transportation, lunches, morning snacks, guest speakers, materials and school supervisors,” Garcia said. “This program exists because of the planning and organization of a dedicated group of volunteers representing United Way of Pueblo County, Cesar Chavez Network, Colorado State University-Pueblo Trio Program, Pillars of Unity, and Pueblo Community College’s Upward Bound.” MYLIFE also is supported by Emerging Leader scholars, both local school districts, and charter schools Ersilia Cruz Middle School and Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences. “Team building, business etiquette and networking are stressed components,” Garcia explained. “Starting with our orientation partnership with the Center for American Values in coordination with REPS Union Avenue Sports Gym and Angelo’s Pizza, students are assigned teams based on which high school they will be attending. “An adult is assigned to that team to promote communication and interaction throughout the eight monthly sessions.” Each year, parents are invited to a dinner session that includes a resource fair staffed by 16 community agencies. During this time, parents and students are provided with an overview of high school graduation requirements. Additional discussions address higher education and workplace opportunities. To expose children to post-secondary opportunities outside of Pueblo, MYLIFE participants are treated to tours of the Air Force Academy, Colorado College and the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, where they receive information on scholarships, financial aid and academic pursuits. “For students wanting to stay closer to home, our own jewels offer a session,” Garcia said. “Pueblo Community College and CSU-Pueblo provide information on technical and trade options, applying for college, eating in a college cafeteria and the value of concurrent enrollment.” Discussions on mental health and the impact of gangs also make up the agenda.
“Finally, students are given the opportunity to explore career opportunities available immediately upon high school graduation,” Garcia continued. “Krage Manufacturing and Black Hills Energy allowed students to visit their businesses and see the machinery, the processes and the work environment.” From the Pueblo Fire Department, Tim Trujillo, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers representative Tony Huskey, provided hands-on perspectives into their respective trades. In the fall of 2019, MYLIFE students were given a survey and asked to vote for community needs they wanted to address through a service learning project. This year’s class selected mental health and suicide prevention, as well as cancer. “Each school team was then asked to set a goal for fundraising and develop ideas,” Garcia said. “And after approval from their respective principals, the students carried out a project to raise funds for these agencies.” To date, more than $2,500 has been raised. Although the annual graduation ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic, “MYLIFE wishes to acknowledge the students’ participation and the work of the volunteers and school sponsors,” Garcia said. Chieftain reporter Jon Pompia can be reached by email at jpompia@chieftain.com or at twitter.com/jpompia. Help support local journalism by subscribing to the Chieftain at chieftain.com/subscribenow