2025 Youth Panel
In the weeks leading up to the event, 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 was 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 got a job because of Bhavya at FFY… Now I can help around the house financially.”
- Ricardo
Ricardo
Programs: Group Mentoring, 1:1 Mentoring, PACE Youth Advisory Board, 2025 FFY Impact Video
Ricardo opened his story by taking us back to when he first joined FFY:
“When I started FFY I was getting searched every day before school because I was selling drugs to make money and be more stable. I was also not doing well in school — bad grades and skipping school.”
Through his time in FFY, Ricardo discovered his voice — and began using it to lead and advocate:
“I know that my opinion matters and I have places where I can share my thoughts.”
“Now I feel more comfortable talking to people… I’m doing this panel now and this isn’t something I would have done without FFY.”
“I’m getting better communication skills, which will help me throughout my life.”
As a leader on the PACE Youth Advisory Board, Ricardo helped plan projects that address real community needs, including creating safe spaces for families facing immigration fears. He also spoke to how FFY can continue supporting youth like him:
“It’s not normal in my culture to speak on how you feel and FFY listened to me.”
“If other people join FFY it can have a similar impact like it had on me.”
“FFY helped me make good choices… A lot of my friends end up going to continuation high school or get in trouble with the law. FFY helped me set myself up for success.”
He shared how a job opportunity through FFY transformed his daily life:
“I got my friends jobs and I even got my brother clippers because he said he wanted to be a barber.”
Looking back, Ricardo reflected on how far he’s come:
“I went from selling drugs 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.”
“I wasn’t able to get what I wanted before so now I see a path to a positive future, to success, to independence, and happiness.”
Pam
Programs: WHY Fellowship, Financial Literacy Workshops, Book Club
Pam’s story centered around visibility, representation, and purpose. When asked about what life was like before FFY, she shared:
“I was working at an after-school camp where most of the kids didn't look like me or speak like me. There were only two Latino kids and I wanted to be around more kids who looked like me and talked like me.”
Through the WHY Fellowship, Pam gained experience in youth and community work and was placed in environments where she felt both seen and empowered.
“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.”
“I set the example to stay true to themselves and not follow others.”
Her biggest takeaway from her time with FFY was the community she found in her peers and mentors:
“They taught me that it’s easy to lend a hand and be there for others.”
“They taught me what it’s like to be a part of the community and feel seen.”
“They were always inclusive and checked in on me — inviting me to the book club, OYE Fest and other events.”
Pam also used her platform to speak about allyship and privilege:
“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 (2023, 2025)
A longtime member of the FFY community, Yael spoke about the emotional safety he found in our programs during a time of personal loss:
“FFY was a safe space to be with friends and process loss in the family.”
What has kept him involved all these years?
“Mainly because of the mentors.”
“Connections with Jasmine, Fany, Yaya, Ryan — are connections I wish I could have grown up with.”
“It’s important for me to take advantage of opportunities to give back to a program that gave so much to me.”
In the 2025 impact video, Yael shared how FFY helped him feel comfortable expressing himself as a Latino man:
“You're told to keep your head up, don't complain, and keep moving forward.”
“I didn’t grow up with a male role model — he passed away when I started at 16.”
“Connections with mentors helped me learn how to express myself.”
“Being able to express myself has opened up doors for me and keeps an open mindset.”
“Having an open attitude has given me the blessing to get a job, earn scholarships, and build confidence about school and meeting people.”
When asked what he wanted the audience to understand about the youth FFY serves, Yael offered this:
“Growing up, I didn't have anything.”
“My parents got a divorce, which forced my mom to be mother and father.”
“Sometimes you have to work twice as hard to get on an even playing field compared to those that had more resources than I did.”
“I saw myself in my mentor and it’s why I connected with them so well.”
“ I didn’t have a strong support system until I joined the FFY program.”
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. They helped me have an open mindset, which resulted in a job for me, scholarships, no fear of rejection — 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.