Fletch's Perspective: Friends & Neighbors April 2022

At our recent Youth of the Year awards ceremony, Fredd G., 17, not only received the top recognition, but also an internship with a prominent local architectural firm. Raul Ocampo of ADC Architects in Stuart was in attendance at the event. He was so impressed after hearing about Fredd’s achievements (president of Torch Club and Students Working Against Tobacco, captain of a soccer team, excelling in our Culinary Program), and hearing him speak—that he reached out to me to offer the internship.

“No. 1, it was his demeanor that really stood out,” says Raul, “the way he presented himself, very confidently, as someone who believes in himself. That no doubt comes from the structure around him—that has to do with his family and Boys & Girls Clubs and what they mean in his life.”

Another quality that caught Raul’s attention. Fredd’s dreams of becoming an architect.

“Here’s a kid who at 17 already know what he wants to do with his life—although I knew at 15, so I got him beat by two years,” Raul jokes.

Raul’s firm—which works with Boys & Girls Clubs in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach counties—will offer Fredd opportunities to learn the dynamics of development, grow familiar with essential industry software and visit construction sites to see how plans on paper come to life.

One of those construction sites might be our new flagship club in Stuart, which Raul is helping us create. The new club will feature workforce labs. In forums facilitated by local employers, innovators and entrepreneurs, the kids will learn about key trades and technologies and even earn certifications vital to attracting good job opportunities. 

When provided the place, proper preparation and people who care, kids can attain the knowledge, achievements, and confidence that will position them to attract good opportunities. If they continue to put in the love and the work—over many days and nights—success will indeed be the result.

And it will be a success that the community who believed in them and invested in them will share.

For more articles from the April 2022 Friends and Neighbors of Martin County visit: https://friendsandneighborsofmartincounty.com/friends-neighbors-april-3-2022/