Success Stories
Luis Araujo
As Luis Araujo started the Empower Program he was a high school graduate who had attended college for a short time. Luis was a frustrated student that had trouble with the financial aid program. Although Luis suffered from ongoing issues with financial aid he never took his sight off his goal to become an Attorney. Council
After Luis joined the Empower Program, he voiced some concerns regarding his financial aid. After a few phone calls to Financial Aid, the issues holding him back were cleared up. Luis is now attending school taking 15 units and working part time. He is doing great in all his classes and on his worksite.
Luis also had some frustrations related to the Justice System; he had some big issues that needed some attention. Earlier in his life he made a few bad choices that resulted in charges against him that stole his spirit, and his will to succeed. I promised I would help him get these offences cleared if it was possible. He needed a fingerprint clearance to start his Empower Work Experience, so we got to work on trying to make sure some charges were cleared by making calls and starting to talk to the right people we felt might be able to help. I think I must have made 50 phones calls, sent and received 20emails, and even sent letters to the local Superior Court. All the time and attention to his problems helped to successfully clear all court related issues. Luis could now receive the fingerprint clearance we both worked so hard to get. It was a great day when they came back clear!
The biggest change in Luis came after many, many hours of counseling him on seeing the glass half full instead of the negative view of the glass half empty.
Luis used to come in to the K Bldg with a sorrowful look on his face and a pull on his heart. He felt guilty for bringing 'bad stuff' into his life and the lives of his family members. He literally wore his problems on his shoulders. With the help of other co-workers and the many hours spent repeating the many positive things that are wonderful in his life... he saw the light! Luis now has an outlook on life that every young person deserves. He is hopeful for a future as an Attorney, confident in his studies at the college, and successful in his everyday life. He is a happier person.
Recently Luis was put on a worksite here at MCOE's Media Center with John Magneson and Karen Hanson. He is moving boxes, filling shelves, and working hard. Today Luis is almost a different young man. He sports a huge smile, and shows his gratitude to everyone connected to this program and worksite. Luis says after working hard picking in the fields and in janitorial cleaning; he never thought he would have such a wonderful job! My hats off to this wonderful young man with a bright future!