What inspires me and motivates me to stay in this field is closing the opportunity gap and being able to provide opportunities I didn’t have growing up.

Seeing that these kids are going to grow up being able to say, “Oh, I can ask a question, and if I’m wrong, it’s okay. I can move on, I can still keep asking.” That to me is very, very important—that’s what inspires me.

I want to leave the world a better place and the kids motivate me every day. We need to invest in the growth of our youth; they are facing such a different world.

This work is my way of giving back. I love the youth. I remember how important it was to have a youth center when I was growing up.

I think what makes after school special is that students have a space where they can be themselves. But also, it’s a place where we can be ourselves.

It’s the greatest job that I can recall I’ve ever had in terms of the passion. Me and my partner talk about how when we get up everyday, we don’t need alarm clocks. Our passion literally wakes us up, and the days go really fast because we’re actually having an impact on young people’s lives.