Coach's Corner
Success Story Archive
Edgar Morales, Teen Mentors in Motion Alumnus
"A World Fit For Kids! helped me overcome my fears. They helped me shape my personality and be more outgoing."
As a Mentors in Motion (MiM) teen program alumnus, Edgar Morales became involved with A World Fit For Kids! (WFIT) as a sophomore at Santee Education Complex in downtown Los Angeles. At that time, he spoke very little English and his accent made him too uneasy to talk with others or express himself in school.
To improve his language skills, Edgar worked with his WFIT MiM facilitators, Rachael Smith and Martha Cordero. The MiM teen program provided Edgar with healthy behaviors and personal empowerment leadership training which has helped build his personal confidence and skills while he served as a positive role model for younger students and peers.
"It inspired me to see his courage," Rachael said. "I saw a profound effect on him."
Edgar is now a sophomore at California State University, Los Angeles with a double major in civil engineering and international business and a minor in mathematics. He plans to achieve his PhD and work for a civil engineering company before starting one of his own.
Furthermore, Edgar is continuing to pursue his dream to helping others in need. In his last year of high school, he was a tutor with a local nonprofit organization called A Place Called Home. Edgar volunteers to assist with WFIT's Teen MiM trainings and often speaks to students about his own experiences, opportunities and personal and career goals.
Edgar has used the training and support he received from WFIT to become an active healthy behaviors mentor and role model for younger students. Edgar remembers what it was like to be a teen WFIT MiM participant when he speaks to high school students: "I see myself in them. When I train, it feels good – together we create a family."
Giovanni Flores, Belmont High School
"A World Fit For Kids! has changed my way of thinking because I used to believe I would not go to college or even amount to anything," said Giovanni Flores, A World Fit For Kids! (WFIT) participant. "WFIT has taught me to never give up on myself and that there is always a way to success."
Following in his sisters' footsteps, Giovanni joined WFIT to meet new people and obtain some job experience. Little did he know that after only one year in the program, he would consider his work in WFIT's Mentors in Motion Program his biggest success in life—so far.
Inspired by the leadership skills and personal empowerment training he received at WFIT, Giovanni is now making history. He created Belmont High School's first student community program called "The Speakers Series" that brings in motivational and relatable professionals to share their struggles and accomplishments with students. Furthermore, Giovanni received funds from the Hispanic Youth Institute at UCLA to give college scholarships to seniors at his high school through his program.
Giovanni is now utilizing WFIT's training and success strategies and has become a healthy behaviors mentor and role model for his peers and younger kids while creating a bright future for himself. Giovanni is planning to pursue a college degree as either a movie director or a forensic scientist... because thanks to WFIT, Giovanni believes he can create what he wants in the world and the sky is the limit!
Maria Ponce, WFIT Community Health Educator
Growing up in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Maria Ponce has always strived to make a difference in her community by keeping a positive attitude and serving as a role model for the less fortunate. After graduating from high school, she decided to pursue her dream to help people by obtaining a degree in Community Health at California State University, Los Angeles. During her studies, Maria began a 6-month internship with A World Fit For Kids! (WFIT).
Her dedication, leadership and diligence lead Maria to a full-time position at WFIT as the Community Health Educator. Maria teaches students to give nutrition demonstration workshops to parents at WFIT Snack Shacks which provide access to affordable, fresh produce for families. Additionally, she trains students from WFIT’s Mentors in Motion program, a comprehensive training and internship program for high school students, to become physical activity and nutrition mentors to assist coaches at WFIT school sites.
During her time at WFIT, Maria has been an integral part in developing WFIT parent workshops where she teaches parents to be smart consumers and shares tips on how to lead healthy, active lifestyles. Her personal struggle with diabetes has motivated her to share the major changes she’s made in her life to become a healthier person to inspire parents to choose healthier habits at home.
“I feel like I am doing something significant in my life,” said Maria. “It’s made me realize it’s important to give back to your community and serve as a role model to many of our kids who do not have a positive role model in their lives.”
Maria’s not only a WFIT staff member, but also a WFIT parent. Her son is currently in the WFIT afterschool program at Norwood Elementary School, which allows her to see the WFIT program from the parents’ perspective so she can relate more directly to the families she serves. Through her involvement in WFIT’s nutrition and physical activity-based workshops and trainings, Maria has contributed to the growing success of WFIT’s life-changing programs for young people in Los Angeles.