Youth reaching out to inspire other youth: this is what came out of a partnership recently between Catholic Charities’ School-Based Family Support Program and Hopeworks.  Trainee Miles Roman and lead trainer Sabrina Gomez, recently met and discussed their life experiences with fifth through eighth graders at three local parochial schools: Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s and St. Cecilia’s.  Both Miles and Sabrina told very compelling stories to the youth about growing up, living in Camden and the difficulties they faced.  They also offered the youth messages of hope and possibility by being witnesses to the success that education brings.  Here are some of the comments offered by the youth at those schools:

• An eighth grader wrote: “This presentation was helpful because it tells you that you can make it even if you come from a rough area.”
• “College is what will take you to your dreams; Hopeworks helps you get ideas on what you are going to do in life,” wrote a seventh grader.
• A fifth grader wrote: “Never give up hope and don’t listen to people when they tell you don’t go to school.”
• Another seventh grade wrote: “I’m glad that I’m not the only person to have family or attitude problems.”
•  “I learned never give up at what you love best and we always have chance to go to college,” said one fifth grader.
• “Miles and Sabrina have some issues that some of us have now and they succeeded,” according to a sixth grader.
• Another sixth grader said, “It showed me that you’re not alone and there is someone or something that can help you.”
• “Now I know there is a place where I can be with people my age and that share the same qualities I have,” proclaimed a seventh grader.