A Walk to Empowerment

Last Friday at Santa Isabel Parish was an experience that left a lasting impact on the youth and myself. As we gear up for our parish feast on July 6th and 7th, the spirit of community and empowerment is more palpable than ever. Every Friday at 5 PM, the children and youth gather for what we call Club Don Bosco, a space where we learn, grow, and strengthen our bonds.

This past Friday was particularly special. I spoke with the parents of our young attendees and took the children and teenagers for a walk through the streets of Boyle Heights. Each of them was given 5 or 10 flyers to distribute to people we encountered. This was not just a walk; it was a mission to spread the word about our upcoming parish feast.

As we walked together as a team, we made our way to the 6th Street Bridge. We explored a bit of the bridge but decided to turn back before reaching the halfway point. On our way back, we stopped at a laundromat where we met a man who was an alumnus of Santa Isabel School. He noticed one of our youngest participants, a 7-year-old girl, holding a stack of flyers. Curious, he asked her what she had. The girl, initially fearful of this stranger, hesitated to respond.

I approached her and reassured her that it was safe to talk to him, as I knew he was a good person. Despite my encouragement, it was still a significant challenge for her. After some moments of empowerment and reminding her of our mission, she finally gathered the courage to speak to the man and handed him a flyer. Impressed and touched by her bravery, the man not only congratulated her but also gave her a $5 donation for the Santa Isabel feast.

This small yet powerful moment was transformative. After this encounter, we visited another store, and this brave girl, now more confident, was the first to join me in inviting families to our parish event.

In no more than ten minutes, this experience undoubtedly changed her life, boosting her self-confidence and teaching her the value of community engagement and personal courage.

Moments like these are the essence of Club Don Bosco and our mission at Santa Isabel Parish. They remind us that empowering youth is about providing them with opportunities to grow, face challenges, and realize their potential. We look forward to many more such experiences as we continue to build a supportive and empowering community.