After his internship, Kevin stayed in close contact with his career advisor, continuing to utilize YWS services like college application support and taking another paid position as a tutor for PLN students. He kept tutoring while earning his Bachelor of Science in Biology from CalState University. Initially, he planned to pursue a career in dentistry, but when the pandemic struck, he turned his attention to public health. Through the years, Kevin has demonstrated a rare measure of professional adaptability, which he credits in part to his upbringing. 

“I grew up in a community where adaptability was necessary for survival. I’m an inner-city kid, a lot of folks I grew up with ended up joining gangs. Throughout my life, it was adapting to folks and to the environment that got me to where I am today.” 

If Para Los Niños had not been involved in Kevin’s education, he doubts he would have pursued a degree and wound up in the position he now loves. Instead, he would have enlisted, taken the military route, and left his community for good. It was the encouragement of the Youth Workforce Services team that gave him the confidence to take his education to the next level. 

“I think being a part of PLN and YWS guided me to realize that there’s outside forces that care. And I think that shaped me to think hey, maybe we shouldn’t be stuck in this perpetual cycle of folks staying in the community and getting out, but instead come back to give people opportunities and better our community. It doesn’t matter if I grow and become a better person if the people around me don’t. I’m a true believer in being a team player and camaraderie where we all have to work together to get to our goals. One person succeeding doesn’t really change the world. If we as a group– as a whole– get better, we can someday change the world.”