Environment for success

HUMBERTO CASPA

Monique Molina is only 6 years old. She may not be as articulate as

Edward James Olmos, or as funny as George Lopez, but she is more

entertaining and charismatic than the two of them put together, and

as talented as Jennifer Lopez.

As soon as I walked into the Girls Inc. building on Anaheim Street

in Costa Mesa, Monique stood up in front of me and extended her arms.

With a gleeful face, she shook my hand. “Welcome to Girls Inc.,” she

said.

Monique’s future looks bright to me, especially after experi-

encing her positive attitude. She would like to be a teacher like her

Girls Inc. instructors when she grows up.

While there isn’t an accurate way to predict her future, or

anybody else’s, there are ways to help us guess what her future might

be.

We don’t need a shaman or a flamboyant psychic. In fact, the more

I learn about them, particularly the latter, the more inclined I am

to believe that they usually take advantage of our inability to

understand human nature.

We also don’t need esoteric books and antiquated theories, some of

them articulating dubious genealogical factors as being significant

elements for success. They might have been convincing propositions

200 years ago, but not today.

What we need instead are organizations that recognize that

people’s success depends, in part, on their environment. Girls Inc.

knows that quite well and provides a healthy atmosphere so young

girls like Monique can accomplish much in the long run.

As a nonprofit organization, its main mission is being “committed

to helping girls develop the values and skills they need to become

confident, productive and responsible adults.”

The organization’s employees and volunteers, led by executive

director Lucy Santana-Ornelas, work in teams to ensure that girls

develop skills and confidence to “resist peer pressure and make good

decisions; avoid drugs; alcohol, gangs, and early pregnancy; defy

gender stereotypes; excel in math, science and technology; improve

relationships with family, peers and other adults; create a goal for

their future that builds on their strengths, talents and abilities.”

In sum, to be better individuals. Girls from ages 5 to 18 do all of

the above, and perhaps more, in this educational after-school

program. As Monique said, “We do a lot of stuff and we have a lot of

fun.”

Audrey Acebedo, 10, told me she had big plans for the future,

including becoming an artist as well as a top designer.

Although having big career goals is common, not all of us are

able to achieve our goals. I wanted to be an architect because I

loved drawing and had good mathematical skills, but I could never

quite get into that field. I needed a program like Girl Inc. to help

me.

Like many other educational nonprofit organizations, Girls Inc.

lives up to its promises. For instance, Alejandra Cerros has been

attending the program since she was a little girl, and soon will be

completing the whole process. She is also graduating from high

school, and right after she is headed to college with almost a full

scholarship. Eventually she would like to be a specialist in

obstetrics and gynecology.

Alejandra believes that Girls Inc. gave her the tools and the

mechanisms to be successful and she’ll be coming back on a volunteer

basis in upcoming years to pay back the favor.

Veronica Escobedo, a program director, told me that they are about

to launch Eureka 2005, a summer program coordinated at Orange Coast

College. It runs July 5 to July 29, and it is especially targeted for

teen girls. The program includes activities such as science and

technology, self defense and sports, field trips and swimming, dance

and drama and much more. Those wanting to register need to come in or

call as soon as possible.

In the meantime, Escobedo suggested parents find other summer

programs for their children. And she asked that they, as well as

businesses in our community, support organizations like Girl Inc.,

not only with cash but also with their time.

With help, our kids have so much to gain.

* HUMBERTO CASPA is a Costa Mesa resident and bilingual writer. He

can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].