PESA, as a community-based organization, is making a significant impact on students and the greater County of Los Angeles with their Community Representatives. Positioned all over the county, these hand-selected staff work within their own communities to build rapport with students whom they share lived experiences with. The Community Representatives undertake a wide range of responsibilities like conducting educational presentations and proctoring Teen Court sessions to mentoring students and providing academic tutoring.
Araksya Nordikyan, PESA’s Director of Youth Services, recalls how the Community Representative model originated from PESA's Teen Court Alumni Association. “High school graduates would seek out avenues to continue their involvement with the Teen Court program. So I would train them before they went back into their schools as alumni to provide support.” This empowered the alumni community and very quickly, we began offering services and support beyond the Teen Court session.
Stephanie Santillan, a Community Representative working with John C. Fremont High School and Dr. Maya Angelou Community High School, shares how relating to her students allows her to connect. "I tell them ‘I live around the corner, I am Mexican, I speak Spanish, and I care deeply about the community.’ I want the students to be able to trust me. I am a first-generation student, just like many of them. I found that sharing my background helps them see that we have common ground, and they become more receptive to talking to me. Every time I step into a classroom now, I introduce myself and make that personal connection."
Nordikyan speaks highly of this group of leaders she supervises. "The Community Representatives have left a remarkable impact on the students, schools, and communities they serve. The numbers speak for themselves – this mighty group of 10 staff spread across 18 schools, they have hosted over 32 educational programs, they have provided support to over 500 students, and they have dedicated countless hours of service over the past nine months."
The Community Representatives of PESA are much more than mere representatives of their schools. They go beyond their title and leave a life-changing impact on the students they interact with. By ensuring representation within the community and providing a platform for young leaders to make a difference, PESA is creating a positive and empowering environment for students in Los Angeles County.
If you’d like to support PESA’s many social and educational initiatives, please contact us.
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