If I had to use any one word to describe my experience growing up, that word would be ‘Lonely’. I remember all too well the feelings of hopelessness as I almost nightly questioned, “Why am I alive?” and “If I died, would anyone care or even notice?” Much of this was due to the dysfunction and brokenness within my own home, but also due to the dynamics of the city I grew up in: Azusa.
At the time, my city had the highest concentration of racially motivated hate crimes in the San Gabriel Valley; tensions between minority races made even the simplest task of walking home a dangerous one. Having made more than my fair share of poor choices, I was no stranger to pain, trouble, and disappointment. As I journeyed through my early teen years, I was determined to get out and away from this city as soon as I had the opportunity.

In my late teens God used a variety of dynamic and unusual circumstances to reveal Himself to me and highlight the value of my own life, driving me to radically commit myself to the cause of young people who walk similar paths that I’ve walked. As I began to live this out, I sensed God call me to lifelong service to these teens, and gave me the heart and passion to do so within the very city I was determined to escape: Azusa.

After nearly 10 years of working for the school district, various churches, and youth organizations in Azusa, I learned skills, developed relationships, and gained much experience that led me to my next and current assignment: MYTHIRDPLACE.

In the Summer of 2013, in collaboration with teens, families, the local church, city officials, and educational institutions, I founded MYTHIRDPLACE. This has been one of the most frightening, challenging, exciting, and rewarding decisions of my life. I daily find myself in situations that stretch and force me to be reminded of my own need for support. Through MYTHIRDPLACE, my hope is that every teen that feels alone, questions their identity, and wrestles with purpose has a safe place to find the love and support that they long for.

I had no idea what I was going to do in the Summer of 2014, but I knew that I felt called to continue living in the city of Azusa, where I attend college. I got connected with my friends Adrian and Christian, the CEO/Founder and Program Director for MYTHIRDPLACE, to see if I could give my free time in any way, and I started helping out with random jobs. During this process, I also came along as a volunteer during events for our Summer program, and fell in love with the youth who are a part of MYTHIRDPLACE. They taught me the profound significance of simply being present in their lives day-to-day, and was blessed that they chose to show love to me as I attempted to love them.
Since that Summer, I have been hired on as the Administrative Coordinator for MYTHIRDPLACE, in charge of making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes. As I engage in the learning process of this new role, I am reminded that I am incredibly privileged to be a part of such an amazing organization. I truly believe that through a series of mundane experiences and events God has been guiding me to be a part of this community of teens and families in Azusa. As an urban missionary, I get to play a small part in creating community change through administration and mentoring, and see God’s kingdom of love manifest in our community.

Growing up in neighboring cities of Azusa, I saw how gang involvement, drug and alcohol abuse, and the inability to access sufficient resources could impact families and perpetuate cycles of poverty and dysfunction. In 2010, I had the privilege of going to Kenya and was challenged with a simple yet profound question: “What are you doing within your community?” This question, as well as my desire to work with marginalized communities, led me to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work and continue with my education and pursue a Master of Social Work. As the Associate Program Director of MYTHIRDPLACE, I have the privilege of walking alongside middle and high school students daily, apply my social work skills, and empower youth in being able to utilize their experiences to make changes within their communities and “create what they wish existed” here and now.

MYTHIRDPLACE desires that the youth of Azusa learn to walk in the fullness of who God calls them to be and understand that the cycle of dysfunction within their families and communities can end with them.