In Their Words: Youth Voices of 2025
In the weeks leading up to our annual “Besties” donor event, Senior Development Coordinator and alumni mentee Eunice selected three students from across FFY programs — not just to show where our funding goes, but to represent the heart of our mission.
With her as moderator, the students dedicated hours after school and work to prepare their responses — honest, vulnerable, and in their truth.
“I was blown away by how thoughtfully they approached these questions,” Eunice shared. “It was powerful to watch them figure out what they wanted to say and why.”
Opening up in front of unfamiliar adults isn’t easy, but these youth showed up with courage and conviction — a powerful reflection of how far they’ve come, and how deeply your support matters
Goal: The goal of this panel was simple, yet powerful: to share the youth voice — directly from the young people who’ve experienced our programs firsthand.
You’ve seen the newsletters. The reports. The photos. But in this space, you heard it from the source. These students aren’t just participants — they’re leaders, storytellers, and change makers.
This is your impact — in their words.
Yael Galicia, 18
Redwood City, CA
College of San Mateo – Sophomore
Yael began his journey with Friends for Youth as a freshman in high school and stayed involved in the Group Mentoring Program through graduation. Over his time in the program, he found a space where he could open up about his life and build strong, meaningful relationships—not only with peers but also with his mentors, many of whom he still keeps in touch with today. Yael has also been a powerful voice for the program, starring in Friends for Youth’s 2023 Impact Video as a freshman and returning in the 2025 Impact Video to reflect on his growth. Now a sophomore at the College of San Mateo, he continues to carry those experiences with him. In his free time, he enjoys staying active by working out or playing pick-up soccer with friends.
Ricardo Alejo, 16
Sequoia High School – 11th Grade
Redwood City, CA
Ricardo has been part of Friends for Youth for over four years, participating in the 1-to-1 Mentoring Program (currently matched with his mentor, Ryan), the Group Mentoring Program, and serving on the PACE Advisory Board. In his words, “Friends for Youth has made a big difference in my life by connecting me with new people, giving me internship opportunities, and letting me be part of fun events and so much more.” He was also featured in our 2025 Impact Video, where he shared his journey and the impact of mentorship. In his free time, he enjoys playing billiards, basketball, riding bikes, and listening to music.
Pamela Velarde, 20
Cañada College – 2nd Year
Redwood City / San Carlos
Pamela joined Friends for Youth through the WHY (Whole Health for You) Rotational Fellowship and has been part of the program for the past six months. In her words, “This program helped me build valuable connections and reminded me of the importance of community — and of remembering who I’m working for and why.” She’s passionate about mental wellness and uplifting others, and in her free time, Pamela loves doing arts and crafts, collecting stickers and trinkets, and spending time with her favorite animals — rabbits!
“I see a path now — to a positive future, to success, to independence, and happiness.” -Ricardo
Ricardo:
Programs: Group Mentoring, 1:1 Mentoring, PACE Youth Advisory Board, 2025 FFY Impact Video
Ricardo opened the panel with powerful honesty, grounding the conversation in what life looked like before he found Friends for Youth. He spoke about the weight of making difficult choices just to survive — and how that survival mode affected his daily life and outlook.
“I wasn’t doing well in school, I had bad grades and was skipping class,” he shared. “Back then, I didn’t really have support, and I didn’t see many options for myself.”
Through FFY’s group and 1-to-1 mentoring programs, Ricardo found something he hadn’t experienced before: people who listened, encouraged him, and believed in his potential. Over time, he began to discover his voice — and use it.
“I know that my opinion matters and I have places where I can share my thoughts,” he said.
“Now I feel more comfortable talking to people… I’m doing this panel now, and this isn’t something I would have done without my experiences in FFY.”
As a youth leader on the PACE Advisory Board, Ricardo helped plan and lead projects that addressed real issues in his community — including safe spaces for families navigating critical challenges.
“It’s not normal in my culture to speak on how you feel,” he said.” But FFY listened to me. If other people join FFY, it can have a similar impact like it had on me.”
He also shared how a job opportunity through FFY had a tangible impact on his life:
“I got a job because of FFY… Now I can help around the house financially. I also got my friends' jobs and could afford to get my brother clippers because he said he wanted to be a barber.”
Looking back, Ricardo reflected on how far he’s come:
“I used to feel stuck — like I didn’t have many choices. I went from trying to get food or to buy new clothes, and now I'm getting other people jobs, supporting my family, I have good grades, I support my community, I’m learning how to manage money, I’m thinking about going to college, and I’m gaining responsibility.”
Ricardo’s story grounded the panel in what’s possible when young people are met with trust, mentorship, and real opportunity. His journey showed that with the right support, even the hardest beginnings can lead to leadership, purpose, and pride.
Pam:
Programs: WHY Fellowship, Financial Literacy Workshops, Book Club
As the conversation moved from early mentorship to the crucial years after high school, Pam’s story highlighted the importance of continued support for transitional-aged youth.
Following Ricardo’s reflections on the foundational impact of mentoring, Pam brought to the panel a perspective grounded in identity, community, and purpose. Through programs like the WHY Fellowship, financial literacy workshops, and Book Club, she found what so many young adults need after high school: spaces where they are seen, supported, and encouraged to lead.
Before joining FFY, Pam worked at an after-school camp where she often felt out of place.
“There were only two Latino kids,” she said. “I wanted to be around more kids who looked like me and talked like me.”
In FFY, she not only found that space — she became that representation for others.
“Now that I worked with children that looked like me, I was able to become someone that they looked up to or relate to — whether it’s our skin or my crooked teeth and arm hair. I made them feel seen in their own skin.”
Pam’s biggest takeaway was the community she built through her peers and mentors.
“They taught me what it’s like to be a part of the community and feel seen.”
Pam’s story is a powerful reminder that the transition from adolescence to adulthood is full of both potential and vulnerability — and why investing in youth doesn’t stop at high school graduation.
Her experience laid the foundation for what comes next — a theme that continued with Yael, whose story reflects the long-term impact of sustained mentorship into college and beyond.
“If you know you have privilege, use it. If you can’t do something globally, help locally.”
-Pam
Yael:
Programs: Group Mentoring Alumni, FFY Impact Video feature (2023/ 2025)
Yael’s story with Friends for Youth has come full circle — from being interviewed for our very first impact video at 16, to returning years later as a panelist and a powerful voice in our 2025 video. When asked what keeps him coming back, his answer was immediate and heartfelt: the mentors.
For Yael, FFY wasn’t just a program — it was a place where lasting, transformative relationships were built. He spoke with deep gratitude about the connections he made with mentors like Jasmine, Fany, Yaya, and Ryan — people he now describes as the role models he wishes he could have grown up with. Those bonds were more than support; they were lifelines, anchors, and mirrors reflecting back a better version of himself. They are the reason he remains involved and now gives back — to honor the community that once showed up for him.
In our panel conversation, we revisited something Yael shared in our impact video: How FFY’s group mentoring program helped him realize that “It’s okay to express yourself as a Latino man.” That insight didn’t come easily. He talked about growing up with a message many boys of color are given early on — to keep your head down, push through pain, and never complain. Losing his father just as he joined FFY left a void in his life. But through consistent, caring mentorship, he slowly learned what emotional expression looked like — and more importantly, that it was allowed. That lesson didn’t just give him peace — it gave him power.
Learning to open up led to real, tangible doors opening in his life. It helped him land jobs, win scholarships, and grow confidence in school and in social spaces where he once felt unseen. His message was clear: vulnerability is strength, and mentorship made that strength possible.
During panel prep, I asked Yael if there was anything he wanted the audience to know. He thought for a moment and said:
“We have to work hard for what we have. Nothing is handed to us.”
For Yael, that reality is exactly what makes your generosity so meaningful. Because so little has come easy, every opportunity — every door opened — feels that much more significant. That’s what he wanted you to understand: that your support doesn’t just make a difference, it means everything.
The most moving moment came when Yael spoke directly to the people in the room — many of whom he had never met, but who, through generous support, had helped shape his life:
“Even though I haven’t had the opportunity to meet the people that support Friends for Youth, I kindly want to say thank you for making my life just a little bit easier.”
Yael’s presence on the panel was more than a reflection of the past — it was a glimpse of what’s possible when young people are seen, supported, and empowered to lead. He reminded all of us why this work matters — and why continuing to invest in mentorship is one of the most powerful things we can do.
“ I didn’t have a strong support system until I joined the FFY program.” - Yael
Final Reflections: Their Parting Words to You
Each of these students spoke with clarity, vulnerability, and purpose. Their stories weren’t rehearsed speeches, they were lived experiences, hard-earned lessons, and moments of truth. This panel wasn’t just a conversation, it was a reminder of what happens when youth are given the chance to be heard, guided, and supported.
In their closing reflections, each student shared what they are most grateful for — parting words we hope stay with you:
Ricardo: “I want to thank my mentors and Ryan for everything they’ve done for me and all the opportunities I've been able to have.”
Pam: “Overall, I am extremely grateful. It made me realize how important it is to be there for my community. I can’t express how influential this experience is for me — I’ll cherish it always.”
Yael: “Mentors being invested in me and my goals made me confident enough to believe in myself and my potential — this will help my future.”
Their words are a testament to the power of connection, consistency, and care. They remind us that while we may not always see the full ripple effect of our support — it’s happening, every day, in lives like theirs.
