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A quién servimos
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Identity atiende a más de 13.000 jóvenes y familias cada año, beneficiando a 52.000 residentes que viven en zonas de alta pobreza del condado de Montgomery.
Si bien nuestro enfoque y experiencia principal están en los jóvenes latinos y sus familias, junto con nuestros socios, servimos a todos los jóvenes que necesitan ayuda.
Los jóvenes y las familias en nuestros programas demuestran una enorme resiliencia frente a la adversidad, incluyendo:
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Experiencias adversas desproporcionadas en la infancia, incluidas aquellas relacionadas con la inmigración, como la separación familiar
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Vivienda inestable
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Falta de seguro médico
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Inseguridad alimentaria
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Barreras lingüísticas
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Barreras de transporte
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Pobreza intergeneracional
La gran mayoría de los padres de Identity son inmigrantes de primera generación. Estos se enfrentan a desafíos que repercuten directamente en la capacidad de sus hijos para tener éxito en la escuela y en la vida, como ser un inglés y educación limitados, traumas infantiles desproporcionados e inestabilidad financiera. Los programas y servicios tienen como objetivo ayudar a las familias a superar estos desafíos. Identity busca interrumpir el ciclo intergeneracional de pobreza. Para obtener más información sobre aquellos a quienes servimos, así como los resultados de nuestros programas que demuestran cómo estamos marcando una diferencia y ayudando a los jóvenes y las familias a alcanzar su máximo potencial, consulte nuestro último Informe de evaluación anual.
Our community
Nuestra comunidad
El condado de Montgomery, Maryland, alberga algunas de las ciudades más diversas del país. A esa riqueza cultural contribuye el creciente número de jóvenes y familias latinas. Su futuro es nuestro futuro.
Identity trabaja para mejorar la vida de los jóvenes y las familias latinas y otras personas históricamente marginadas en el condado de Montgomery, donde se proyecta que los latinos representarán el 25 % de la población del condado para 2040 (Departamento de Planificación de Maryland, proyecciones a diciembre de 2020). El crecimiento es aún más dramático entre los jóvenes, que ahora representan más de un tercio de la población de las escuelas públicas del condado.
La mayoría de los jóvenes de Identity son inmigrantes o hijos de inmigrantes. En muchos casos, los jóvenes y las familias a quienes ayudamos huyeron de sus países de origen debido a guerras civiles, violencia, inestabilidad política o crisis económica. Las madres y los padres a menudo se ven obligados a emigrar a los EE. UU. sin sus hijos, quienes los siguen años después. Muchos jóvenes latinos de nuestra comunidad han experimentado largas separaciones familiares.
Estos jóvenes inmigrantes, al igual que los nacidos en Estados Unidos, suelen enfrentarse a graves desafios, como ser la pobreza, una atención sanitaria inadecuada y la falta de supervisión parental, ya que sus padres trabajan muchas horas o tienen varios empleos. Con demasiada frecuencia, estas difíciles circunstancias de vida conducen a malos resultados, como bajo rendimiento académico y ausentismo escolar; paternidad temprana; subempleo y desempleo, situaciones que limitan gravemente las opciones y oportunidades de los jóvenes.
Al mismo tiempo, nuestra juventud latina aporta muchas fortalezas: amor por la familia, orgullo por su cultura, ganas de triunfar y una resiliencia impresionante para seguir adelante a pesar de las dificultades que afrontan. Identity aborda los desafíos aprovechando esas virtudes y haciendo hincapié en las habilidades que respaldan el bienestar de los jóvenes y las familias en todos los aspectos de sus vidas.
Success Stories
Historias de éxito
Estamos muy orgullosos de cada una de estas personas inspiradoras y les agradecemos por compartir sus historias personales.
Los jóvenes atendidos por los programas de Identity generalmente han atravesado situaciones y contratiempos en sus primeros años de vida que muchos adultos considerarían abrumadoras. Las historias que se presentan aquí dan vida a algunos de esos desafíos. También demuestran el entusiasmo y la determinación de nuestros jóvenes por crear un futuro mejor para sí mismos y para los demás, y lo mucho que pueden conseguir cuando les proporcionamos apoyo, orientación y oportunidades.
Adela
“My name is Adela. My dream for my children is that they will be successful in school and in life, and be better than we were growing up.
My third-grader Oscar and fourth-grader Natalie participate in Identity’s before-school reading program and after-school enrichment and soccer program. Before joining the reading program, Oscar was behind in reading. Now he is reading above grade level! The first time he had the confidence to stand up and read aloud, I cried with happiness and pride. His older sister Natalie is learning bigger, more complex words while also learning life lessons. Amazingly, because of the way Identity works, as their English improves, so does their Spanish.
And after school, my kids are learning how to get along with others, how to make good decisions and where to go if they need help.
It is not just Oscar and Natalie who benefit from Identity. Actually, my whole family does. Our case manager Kenia helped us find food, furniture, and a computer so that the kids can do their school assignments at home. Identity even helped us with counseling and support to deal with a very scary bullying situation.
Identity never quits on me, or my children.
They treat us like family. It doesn’t matter what we need, Identity is there for us. And I know that other families feel the same way. Honestly, without Identity, I don’t know who would help Hispanic families like mine stay resilient, succeed in school and get ahead.”
My third-grader Oscar and fourth-grader Natalie participate in Identity’s before-school reading program and after-school enrichment and soccer program. Before joining the reading program, Oscar was behind in reading. Now he is reading above grade level! The first time he had the confidence to stand up and read aloud, I cried with happiness and pride. His older sister Natalie is learning bigger, more complex words while also learning life lessons. Amazingly, because of the way Identity works, as their English improves, so does their Spanish.
And after school, my kids are learning how to get along with others, how to make good decisions and where to go if they need help.
It is not just Oscar and Natalie who benefit from Identity. Actually, my whole family does. Our case manager Kenia helped us find food, furniture, and a computer so that the kids can do their school assignments at home. Identity even helped us with counseling and support to deal with a very scary bullying situation.
Identity never quits on me, or my children.
They treat us like family. It doesn’t matter what we need, Identity is there for us. And I know that other families feel the same way. Honestly, without Identity, I don’t know who would help Hispanic families like mine stay resilient, succeed in school and get ahead.”
Gloria
Gloria escaped an abusive home in Florida at 15 to live in Maryland with her boyfriend, but when she tried to enroll in school, she was told that she needed a parent’s signature, and they refused. Determined to get an education, she tried again at age 18, when she was old enough to enroll herself, but by that time she was pregnant and again she was sent away, told it was unlikely she could finish the required classes before legally aging out.
Gloria continued to work nights and weekends as a supermarket cashier, while raising her baby boy Jayden. Then one of her co-workers mentioned they were attending GED classes at Identity’s Up-county Youth Opportunity Center. So at age 21, Gloria tried one more time to get her high school diploma. Her Identity Case Manager not only immediately enrolled her in GED classes and workforce development counseling, but also connected her to safety net resources like food and legal aid.
Gloria was doing well when she could get to class, but missed some because of work, so she asked to take a practice test to see if she could pass. She started with the science practice test and passed! Gaining confidence from that early success and with coaching from her Case Manager, Gloria pushed on, and within two months passed all four tests and earned her High School diploma.
But for Gloria, a better future doesn’t end there. She enrolled in Identity’s workforce certification program in partnership with Montgomery College to learn child development, a certification required to work in childcare facilities. Working with children is not only a labor of love, but the childcare industry working hours will give her more time with little Jayden.
“I’m not doing this for me. Just for me, I can survive, if I don’t have money its ok. But I have a son, whatever I do affects him, it’s for a better future for him. That’s my motivation. I want to be an example for him.”
Gloria continued to work nights and weekends as a supermarket cashier, while raising her baby boy Jayden. Then one of her co-workers mentioned they were attending GED classes at Identity’s Up-county Youth Opportunity Center. So at age 21, Gloria tried one more time to get her high school diploma. Her Identity Case Manager not only immediately enrolled her in GED classes and workforce development counseling, but also connected her to safety net resources like food and legal aid.
Gloria was doing well when she could get to class, but missed some because of work, so she asked to take a practice test to see if she could pass. She started with the science practice test and passed! Gaining confidence from that early success and with coaching from her Case Manager, Gloria pushed on, and within two months passed all four tests and earned her High School diploma.
But for Gloria, a better future doesn’t end there. She enrolled in Identity’s workforce certification program in partnership with Montgomery College to learn child development, a certification required to work in childcare facilities. Working with children is not only a labor of love, but the childcare industry working hours will give her more time with little Jayden.
“I’m not doing this for me. Just for me, I can survive, if I don’t have money its ok. But I have a son, whatever I do affects him, it’s for a better future for him. That’s my motivation. I want to be an example for him.”
Josue
Josue didn’t expect his life to be much different from his parents’. Without a high school diploma, his mother and father worked multiple jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over the family’s head.
When Josue was a freshman in high school, still in ESOL classes, his passion and joy in life was playing soccer. That year he met Coach Efrain and joined the Identity Recreation Program. It was on the soccer team that he felt he belonged and felt part of something, a family. Because many of the players’ parents were busy working, the Identity coaches drove players to and from games. Those long drives were a good time to just talk. Josue says, “that’s when I really got to trust Coach Efrain”.
Then tragedy struck: Josue’s Dad died suddenly. But Josue’s Identity soccer family was there to wrap their arms more tightly around him. Josue says that throughout high school Coach Efrain pushed him to excel not just in sports but also academically. Josue made the school’s varsity soccer team, tested out of ESOL, and by junior year was taking IB English, an honors track. With that combination of achievements, Josue says, “I began to believe I could go to college. I can do better than my Dad and my Mom.”
Today Josue has soccer scholarship offers from two colleges. And he sees a future of giving back. “I want to do social work. I want to help other kids whenever they need something. Cause if it wasn’t for Coach Efrain and Identity I probably wouldn’t be playing soccer right now and I certainly wouldn’t be starting college. I feel like if Efrain could make a change in me, I could make a change in somebody else.”
When Josue was a freshman in high school, still in ESOL classes, his passion and joy in life was playing soccer. That year he met Coach Efrain and joined the Identity Recreation Program. It was on the soccer team that he felt he belonged and felt part of something, a family. Because many of the players’ parents were busy working, the Identity coaches drove players to and from games. Those long drives were a good time to just talk. Josue says, “that’s when I really got to trust Coach Efrain”.
Then tragedy struck: Josue’s Dad died suddenly. But Josue’s Identity soccer family was there to wrap their arms more tightly around him. Josue says that throughout high school Coach Efrain pushed him to excel not just in sports but also academically. Josue made the school’s varsity soccer team, tested out of ESOL, and by junior year was taking IB English, an honors track. With that combination of achievements, Josue says, “I began to believe I could go to college. I can do better than my Dad and my Mom.”
Today Josue has soccer scholarship offers from two colleges. And he sees a future of giving back. “I want to do social work. I want to help other kids whenever they need something. Cause if it wasn’t for Coach Efrain and Identity I probably wouldn’t be playing soccer right now and I certainly wouldn’t be starting college. I feel like if Efrain could make a change in me, I could make a change in somebody else.”
Mauricio
Mauricio wanted to look tough as a kid, so he began getting tattoos on his hand and arm when he was barely a teenager. But when he moved to Maryland at 14, those tattoos were a magnet for trouble. In high school, he was beaten up by teens who wrongly assumed the tattoos meant he was a rival. He was a target for law enforcement who also assumed the worst when they saw his inked arm and hand, particularly a very visible dollar sign next to his palm.
At 22 Mauricio was much wiser than his teenage self. He wanted to break from the negative and dangerous assumptions people made about him, earn his high school diploma, and position himself for a better job and a better life. He came to Identity’s Downcounty Youth Opportunity Center looking for that second chance. There he studied for his GED, built up his workforce development skills and social/emotional skills like conflict resolution.
Finally, Identity helped Mauricio realize his dream to remove his very visible tattoos – beginning a series of laser removal treatments on his hand – transforming this magnet for trouble into a fresh start.
Identity believes Mauricio -- and all youth --deserve a second chance, and tattoo removal is one of the many ways the Youth Opportunity Centers help remove barriers preventing youth from reaching their full potential. This service is free to youth who believe their visible tattoos are an issue for their safety, or a barrier to finding work. In return, the youth complete a significant number of community service hours for each tattoo that is removed.
At 22 Mauricio was much wiser than his teenage self. He wanted to break from the negative and dangerous assumptions people made about him, earn his high school diploma, and position himself for a better job and a better life. He came to Identity’s Downcounty Youth Opportunity Center looking for that second chance. There he studied for his GED, built up his workforce development skills and social/emotional skills like conflict resolution.
Finally, Identity helped Mauricio realize his dream to remove his very visible tattoos – beginning a series of laser removal treatments on his hand – transforming this magnet for trouble into a fresh start.
Identity believes Mauricio -- and all youth --deserve a second chance, and tattoo removal is one of the many ways the Youth Opportunity Centers help remove barriers preventing youth from reaching their full potential. This service is free to youth who believe their visible tattoos are an issue for their safety, or a barrier to finding work. In return, the youth complete a significant number of community service hours for each tattoo that is removed.
Miguel
Miguel was labeled the bad kid. By the time he was in 6th grade at Redland Middle School, his grades were terrible, and his behavior in school was worse. The school Vice Principal recommended Miguel attend an Identity after-school program. At first, he lived up to his bad reputation, constantly interrupting the facilitators, often with inappropriate comments. One day Miguel revealed to Identity staff, “They say I am a bad kid, so I am.”
In order to shift Miguel’s thinking, the facilitators changed their approach and emphasized the positive contributions Miguel was making to group conversations. At first Miguel was uncomfortable being singled out for good ideas and insights. But as the days went on, he became more receptive to this positive reinforcement, which allowed him to become first a good team member, and then develop his natural leadership gifts.
Everyone saw a difference in the “bad kid”. He was respected by his peers, confident in his own intelligence, and someone with an infectious sense of humor. As his facilitator said, Miguel was like the fox in the movie Zootopia. He was bad because that’s how everyone saw him. Through Identity’s after-school social and emotional skill-building program, he changed his self perception, and broke out into the real Miguel-- a successful student, team-member and leader.
In order to shift Miguel’s thinking, the facilitators changed their approach and emphasized the positive contributions Miguel was making to group conversations. At first Miguel was uncomfortable being singled out for good ideas and insights. But as the days went on, he became more receptive to this positive reinforcement, which allowed him to become first a good team member, and then develop his natural leadership gifts.
Everyone saw a difference in the “bad kid”. He was respected by his peers, confident in his own intelligence, and someone with an infectious sense of humor. As his facilitator said, Miguel was like the fox in the movie Zootopia. He was bad because that’s how everyone saw him. Through Identity’s after-school social and emotional skill-building program, he changed his self perception, and broke out into the real Miguel-- a successful student, team-member and leader.
Sandra
Identity’s non-clinical emotional support groups are empowering and equipping teens and parents to help themselves and their friends manage difficult emotions. For Sandra, it was life-changing.
As a teen, Sandra moved to Maryland to live with her father who she hardly knew. Sandra felt impossibly isolated, suddenly thrust into a new school and community. Plus, she missed her mother and sister desperately.
Life began to brighten when she joined the first Encuentros emotional support group for teens organized by the Identity managed School-Based Wellness Center at Wheaton High School. Designed in response to the youth mental health crisis, Encuentros provides clients with a safe space to engage in open, honest discussion about mental health challenges and share strategies for coping with them. The groups are co-led by staff and specially trained previous Encuentros participants.
Sandra believes Encuentros has such transformative power that she wants to help it grow. She not only completed all the training required to be a Youth Peer Leader and group facilitator, but is committed to spreading the word. She presented the Encuentros model at the 2023 National School-Based Health Care Conference in Washington, D.C. with Identity staff.
“Before joining Encuentros I was very shy, but the program helped me to come out of my shell and be more open, while also growing and learning from other students,” Sandra says. “Being part of Encuentros, not only as a participant, but now also as a Youth Peer Leader, has helped me to support my younger sister, my family, and my friends.”
Inspired by Latino cultural traditions of family and friends helping each other in times of emotional distress, Identity’s Encuentros program provides non-clinical culturally and linguistically appropriate emotional support groups for high-school aged youth and adults. The groups cover topics such as anxiety, trauma/resilience, grief, depression, emotional agility, domestic/intrafamily violence, assertive communication, migration and self-care.
As a teen, Sandra moved to Maryland to live with her father who she hardly knew. Sandra felt impossibly isolated, suddenly thrust into a new school and community. Plus, she missed her mother and sister desperately.
Life began to brighten when she joined the first Encuentros emotional support group for teens organized by the Identity managed School-Based Wellness Center at Wheaton High School. Designed in response to the youth mental health crisis, Encuentros provides clients with a safe space to engage in open, honest discussion about mental health challenges and share strategies for coping with them. The groups are co-led by staff and specially trained previous Encuentros participants.
Sandra believes Encuentros has such transformative power that she wants to help it grow. She not only completed all the training required to be a Youth Peer Leader and group facilitator, but is committed to spreading the word. She presented the Encuentros model at the 2023 National School-Based Health Care Conference in Washington, D.C. with Identity staff.
“Before joining Encuentros I was very shy, but the program helped me to come out of my shell and be more open, while also growing and learning from other students,” Sandra says. “Being part of Encuentros, not only as a participant, but now also as a Youth Peer Leader, has helped me to support my younger sister, my family, and my friends.”
Inspired by Latino cultural traditions of family and friends helping each other in times of emotional distress, Identity’s Encuentros program provides non-clinical culturally and linguistically appropriate emotional support groups for high-school aged youth and adults. The groups cover topics such as anxiety, trauma/resilience, grief, depression, emotional agility, domestic/intrafamily violence, assertive communication, migration and self-care.
Vanessa
“Truly Identity has been a fundamental part of who I am today as a person.” Vanessa B., Parent
Identity not only teaches and models for young people the skills they need to thrive in the modern world, but also works to support their ultimate support system – the family.
"Since I have been part of the Identity family --because that is how they make me feel, as a family— the support has been comprehensive, from resources and financial assistance for myself and my children to an attentive ear when I have needed it or a word of encouragement when I wanted to give up out of fear. Identity has marked a before and after for me. I owe Identity my present and my promising future.”
Vanessa B. first encountered Identity when her son joined Jóvenes de Mañana, our after-school elementary reading program. She attended parent workshops to learn how to engage in his education and be a champion for his success. Later she joined Identity’s Parent Leadership Academy and learned how to be a champion for the community. When Identity opened up a Workforce Development program to parents, Vanessa seized the opportunity, and began attending the Early Childhood Education course, delivered in partnership with Montgomery College. After cleaning houses for 17 years, Vanessa says this training changed her life:
“Thanks to Identity the words fear and uncertainty are no longer in my future. Today I think about my future with joy, security and confidence because I have a profession that allows me to continue reaching goals. Today, I feel capable of achieving many things that years ago I thought were not for me. Working with children is the best experience I have ever had and I owe that to Identity.”
Together, we can celebrate the victories of youth and parents and offer help when something extra is needed.
Identity not only teaches and models for young people the skills they need to thrive in the modern world, but also works to support their ultimate support system – the family.
"Since I have been part of the Identity family --because that is how they make me feel, as a family— the support has been comprehensive, from resources and financial assistance for myself and my children to an attentive ear when I have needed it or a word of encouragement when I wanted to give up out of fear. Identity has marked a before and after for me. I owe Identity my present and my promising future.”
Vanessa B. first encountered Identity when her son joined Jóvenes de Mañana, our after-school elementary reading program. She attended parent workshops to learn how to engage in his education and be a champion for his success. Later she joined Identity’s Parent Leadership Academy and learned how to be a champion for the community. When Identity opened up a Workforce Development program to parents, Vanessa seized the opportunity, and began attending the Early Childhood Education course, delivered in partnership with Montgomery College. After cleaning houses for 17 years, Vanessa says this training changed her life:
“Thanks to Identity the words fear and uncertainty are no longer in my future. Today I think about my future with joy, security and confidence because I have a profession that allows me to continue reaching goals. Today, I feel capable of achieving many things that years ago I thought were not for me. Working with children is the best experience I have ever had and I owe that to Identity.”
Together, we can celebrate the victories of youth and parents and offer help when something extra is needed.
Adela
“My name is Adela. My dream for my children is that they will be successful in school and in life, and be better than we were growing up.
My third-grader Oscar and fourth-grader Natalie participate in Identity’s before-school reading program and after-school enrichment and soccer program. Before joining the reading program, Oscar was behind in reading. Now he is reading above grade level! The first time he had the confidence to stand up and read aloud, I cried with happiness and pride. His older sister Natalie is learning bigger, more complex words while also learning life lessons. Amazingly, because of the way Identity works, as their English improves, so does their Spanish.
And after school, my kids are learning how to get along with others, how to make good decisions and where to go if they need help.
It is not just Oscar and Natalie who benefit from Identity. Actually, my whole family does. Our case manager Kenia helped us find food, furniture, and a computer so that the kids can do their school assignments at home. Identity even helped us with counseling and support to deal with a very scary bullying situation.
Identity never quits on me, or my children.
They treat us like family. It doesn’t matter what we need, Identity is there for us. And I know that other families feel the same way. Honestly, without Identity, I don’t know who would help Hispanic families like mine stay resilient, succeed in school and get ahead.”
My third-grader Oscar and fourth-grader Natalie participate in Identity’s before-school reading program and after-school enrichment and soccer program. Before joining the reading program, Oscar was behind in reading. Now he is reading above grade level! The first time he had the confidence to stand up and read aloud, I cried with happiness and pride. His older sister Natalie is learning bigger, more complex words while also learning life lessons. Amazingly, because of the way Identity works, as their English improves, so does their Spanish.
And after school, my kids are learning how to get along with others, how to make good decisions and where to go if they need help.
It is not just Oscar and Natalie who benefit from Identity. Actually, my whole family does. Our case manager Kenia helped us find food, furniture, and a computer so that the kids can do their school assignments at home. Identity even helped us with counseling and support to deal with a very scary bullying situation.
Identity never quits on me, or my children.
They treat us like family. It doesn’t matter what we need, Identity is there for us. And I know that other families feel the same way. Honestly, without Identity, I don’t know who would help Hispanic families like mine stay resilient, succeed in school and get ahead.”
Gloria
Gloria escaped an abusive home in Florida at 15 to live in Maryland with her boyfriend, but when she tried to enroll in school, she was told that she needed a parent’s signature, and they refused. Determined to get an education, she tried again at age 18, when she was old enough to enroll herself, but by that time she was pregnant and again she was sent away, told it was unlikely she could finish the required classes before legally aging out.
Gloria continued to work nights and weekends as a supermarket cashier, while raising her baby boy Jayden. Then one of her co-workers mentioned they were attending GED classes at Identity’s Up-county Youth Opportunity Center. So at age 21, Gloria tried one more time to get her high school diploma. Her Identity Case Manager not only immediately enrolled her in GED classes and workforce development counseling, but also connected her to safety net resources like food and legal aid.
Gloria was doing well when she could get to class, but missed some because of work, so she asked to take a practice test to see if she could pass. She started with the science practice test and passed! Gaining confidence from that early success and with coaching from her Case Manager, Gloria pushed on, and within two months passed all four tests and earned her High School diploma.
But for Gloria, a better future doesn’t end there. She enrolled in Identity’s workforce certification program in partnership with Montgomery College to learn child development, a certification required to work in childcare facilities. Working with children is not only a labor of love, but the childcare industry working hours will give her more time with little Jayden.
“I’m not doing this for me. Just for me, I can survive, if I don’t have money its ok. But I have a son, whatever I do affects him, it’s for a better future for him. That’s my motivation. I want to be an example for him.”
Gloria continued to work nights and weekends as a supermarket cashier, while raising her baby boy Jayden. Then one of her co-workers mentioned they were attending GED classes at Identity’s Up-county Youth Opportunity Center. So at age 21, Gloria tried one more time to get her high school diploma. Her Identity Case Manager not only immediately enrolled her in GED classes and workforce development counseling, but also connected her to safety net resources like food and legal aid.
Gloria was doing well when she could get to class, but missed some because of work, so she asked to take a practice test to see if she could pass. She started with the science practice test and passed! Gaining confidence from that early success and with coaching from her Case Manager, Gloria pushed on, and within two months passed all four tests and earned her High School diploma.
But for Gloria, a better future doesn’t end there. She enrolled in Identity’s workforce certification program in partnership with Montgomery College to learn child development, a certification required to work in childcare facilities. Working with children is not only a labor of love, but the childcare industry working hours will give her more time with little Jayden.
“I’m not doing this for me. Just for me, I can survive, if I don’t have money its ok. But I have a son, whatever I do affects him, it’s for a better future for him. That’s my motivation. I want to be an example for him.”
Josue
Josue didn’t expect his life to be much different from his parents’. Without a high school diploma, his mother and father worked multiple jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over the family’s head.
When Josue was a freshman in high school, still in ESOL classes, his passion and joy in life was playing soccer. That year he met Coach Efrain and joined the Identity Recreation Program. It was on the soccer team that he felt he belonged and felt part of something, a family. Because many of the players’ parents were busy working, the Identity coaches drove players to and from games. Those long drives were a good time to just talk. Josue says, “that’s when I really got to trust Coach Efrain”.
Then tragedy struck: Josue’s Dad died suddenly. But Josue’s Identity soccer family was there to wrap their arms more tightly around him. Josue says that throughout high school Coach Efrain pushed him to excel not just in sports but also academically. Josue made the school’s varsity soccer team, tested out of ESOL, and by junior year was taking IB English, an honors track. With that combination of achievements, Josue says, “I began to believe I could go to college. I can do better than my Dad and my Mom.”
Today Josue has soccer scholarship offers from two colleges. And he sees a future of giving back. “I want to do social work. I want to help other kids whenever they need something. Cause if it wasn’t for Coach Efrain and Identity I probably wouldn’t be playing soccer right now and I certainly wouldn’t be starting college. I feel like if Efrain could make a change in me, I could make a change in somebody else.”
When Josue was a freshman in high school, still in ESOL classes, his passion and joy in life was playing soccer. That year he met Coach Efrain and joined the Identity Recreation Program. It was on the soccer team that he felt he belonged and felt part of something, a family. Because many of the players’ parents were busy working, the Identity coaches drove players to and from games. Those long drives were a good time to just talk. Josue says, “that’s when I really got to trust Coach Efrain”.
Then tragedy struck: Josue’s Dad died suddenly. But Josue’s Identity soccer family was there to wrap their arms more tightly around him. Josue says that throughout high school Coach Efrain pushed him to excel not just in sports but also academically. Josue made the school’s varsity soccer team, tested out of ESOL, and by junior year was taking IB English, an honors track. With that combination of achievements, Josue says, “I began to believe I could go to college. I can do better than my Dad and my Mom.”
Today Josue has soccer scholarship offers from two colleges. And he sees a future of giving back. “I want to do social work. I want to help other kids whenever they need something. Cause if it wasn’t for Coach Efrain and Identity I probably wouldn’t be playing soccer right now and I certainly wouldn’t be starting college. I feel like if Efrain could make a change in me, I could make a change in somebody else.”
Mauricio
Mauricio wanted to look tough as a kid, so he began getting tattoos on his hand and arm when he was barely a teenager. But when he moved to Maryland at 14, those tattoos were a magnet for trouble. In high school, he was beaten up by teens who wrongly assumed the tattoos meant he was a rival. He was a target for law enforcement who also assumed the worst when they saw his inked arm and hand, particularly a very visible dollar sign next to his palm.
At 22 Mauricio was much wiser than his teenage self. He wanted to break from the negative and dangerous assumptions people made about him, earn his high school diploma, and position himself for a better job and a better life. He came to Identity’s Downcounty Youth Opportunity Center looking for that second chance. There he studied for his GED, built up his workforce development skills and social/emotional skills like conflict resolution.
Finally, Identity helped Mauricio realize his dream to remove his very visible tattoos – beginning a series of laser removal treatments on his hand – transforming this magnet for trouble into a fresh start.
Identity believes Mauricio -- and all youth --deserve a second chance, and tattoo removal is one of the many ways the Youth Opportunity Centers help remove barriers preventing youth from reaching their full potential. This service is free to youth who believe their visible tattoos are an issue for their safety, or a barrier to finding work. In return, the youth complete a significant number of community service hours for each tattoo that is removed.
At 22 Mauricio was much wiser than his teenage self. He wanted to break from the negative and dangerous assumptions people made about him, earn his high school diploma, and position himself for a better job and a better life. He came to Identity’s Downcounty Youth Opportunity Center looking for that second chance. There he studied for his GED, built up his workforce development skills and social/emotional skills like conflict resolution.
Finally, Identity helped Mauricio realize his dream to remove his very visible tattoos – beginning a series of laser removal treatments on his hand – transforming this magnet for trouble into a fresh start.
Identity believes Mauricio -- and all youth --deserve a second chance, and tattoo removal is one of the many ways the Youth Opportunity Centers help remove barriers preventing youth from reaching their full potential. This service is free to youth who believe their visible tattoos are an issue for their safety, or a barrier to finding work. In return, the youth complete a significant number of community service hours for each tattoo that is removed.
Miguel
Miguel was labeled the bad kid. By the time he was in 6th grade at Redland Middle School, his grades were terrible, and his behavior in school was worse. The school Vice Principal recommended Miguel attend an Identity after-school program. At first, he lived up to his bad reputation, constantly interrupting the facilitators, often with inappropriate comments. One day Miguel revealed to Identity staff, “They say I am a bad kid, so I am.”
In order to shift Miguel’s thinking, the facilitators changed their approach and emphasized the positive contributions Miguel was making to group conversations. At first Miguel was uncomfortable being singled out for good ideas and insights. But as the days went on, he became more receptive to this positive reinforcement, which allowed him to become first a good team member, and then develop his natural leadership gifts.
Everyone saw a difference in the “bad kid”. He was respected by his peers, confident in his own intelligence, and someone with an infectious sense of humor. As his facilitator said, Miguel was like the fox in the movie Zootopia. He was bad because that’s how everyone saw him. Through Identity’s after-school social and emotional skill-building program, he changed his self perception, and broke out into the real Miguel-- a successful student, team-member and leader.
In order to shift Miguel’s thinking, the facilitators changed their approach and emphasized the positive contributions Miguel was making to group conversations. At first Miguel was uncomfortable being singled out for good ideas and insights. But as the days went on, he became more receptive to this positive reinforcement, which allowed him to become first a good team member, and then develop his natural leadership gifts.
Everyone saw a difference in the “bad kid”. He was respected by his peers, confident in his own intelligence, and someone with an infectious sense of humor. As his facilitator said, Miguel was like the fox in the movie Zootopia. He was bad because that’s how everyone saw him. Through Identity’s after-school social and emotional skill-building program, he changed his self perception, and broke out into the real Miguel-- a successful student, team-member and leader.
Sandra
Identity’s non-clinical emotional support groups are empowering and equipping teens and parents to help themselves and their friends manage difficult emotions. For Sandra, it was life-changing.
As a teen, Sandra moved to Maryland to live with her father who she hardly knew. Sandra felt impossibly isolated, suddenly thrust into a new school and community. Plus, she missed her mother and sister desperately.
Life began to brighten when she joined the first Encuentros emotional support group for teens organized by the Identity managed School-Based Wellness Center at Wheaton High School. Designed in response to the youth mental health crisis, Encuentros provides clients with a safe space to engage in open, honest discussion about mental health challenges and share strategies for coping with them. The groups are co-led by staff and specially trained previous Encuentros participants.
Sandra believes Encuentros has such transformative power that she wants to help it grow. She not only completed all the training required to be a Youth Peer Leader and group facilitator, but is committed to spreading the word. She presented the Encuentros model at the 2023 National School-Based Health Care Conference in Washington, D.C. with Identity staff.
“Before joining Encuentros I was very shy, but the program helped me to come out of my shell and be more open, while also growing and learning from other students,” Sandra says. “Being part of Encuentros, not only as a participant, but now also as a Youth Peer Leader, has helped me to support my younger sister, my family, and my friends.”
Inspired by Latino cultural traditions of family and friends helping each other in times of emotional distress, Identity’s Encuentros program provides non-clinical culturally and linguistically appropriate emotional support groups for high-school aged youth and adults. The groups cover topics such as anxiety, trauma/resilience, grief, depression, emotional agility, domestic/intrafamily violence, assertive communication, migration and self-care.
As a teen, Sandra moved to Maryland to live with her father who she hardly knew. Sandra felt impossibly isolated, suddenly thrust into a new school and community. Plus, she missed her mother and sister desperately.
Life began to brighten when she joined the first Encuentros emotional support group for teens organized by the Identity managed School-Based Wellness Center at Wheaton High School. Designed in response to the youth mental health crisis, Encuentros provides clients with a safe space to engage in open, honest discussion about mental health challenges and share strategies for coping with them. The groups are co-led by staff and specially trained previous Encuentros participants.
Sandra believes Encuentros has such transformative power that she wants to help it grow. She not only completed all the training required to be a Youth Peer Leader and group facilitator, but is committed to spreading the word. She presented the Encuentros model at the 2023 National School-Based Health Care Conference in Washington, D.C. with Identity staff.
“Before joining Encuentros I was very shy, but the program helped me to come out of my shell and be more open, while also growing and learning from other students,” Sandra says. “Being part of Encuentros, not only as a participant, but now also as a Youth Peer Leader, has helped me to support my younger sister, my family, and my friends.”
Inspired by Latino cultural traditions of family and friends helping each other in times of emotional distress, Identity’s Encuentros program provides non-clinical culturally and linguistically appropriate emotional support groups for high-school aged youth and adults. The groups cover topics such as anxiety, trauma/resilience, grief, depression, emotional agility, domestic/intrafamily violence, assertive communication, migration and self-care.
Vanessa
“Truly Identity has been a fundamental part of who I am today as a person.” Vanessa B., Parent
Identity not only teaches and models for young people the skills they need to thrive in the modern world, but also works to support their ultimate support system – the family.
"Since I have been part of the Identity family --because that is how they make me feel, as a family— the support has been comprehensive, from resources and financial assistance for myself and my children to an attentive ear when I have needed it or a word of encouragement when I wanted to give up out of fear. Identity has marked a before and after for me. I owe Identity my present and my promising future.”
Vanessa B. first encountered Identity when her son joined Jóvenes de Mañana, our after-school elementary reading program. She attended parent workshops to learn how to engage in his education and be a champion for his success. Later she joined Identity’s Parent Leadership Academy and learned how to be a champion for the community. When Identity opened up a Workforce Development program to parents, Vanessa seized the opportunity, and began attending the Early Childhood Education course, delivered in partnership with Montgomery College. After cleaning houses for 17 years, Vanessa says this training changed her life:
“Thanks to Identity the words fear and uncertainty are no longer in my future. Today I think about my future with joy, security and confidence because I have a profession that allows me to continue reaching goals. Today, I feel capable of achieving many things that years ago I thought were not for me. Working with children is the best experience I have ever had and I owe that to Identity.”
Together, we can celebrate the victories of youth and parents and offer help when something extra is needed.
Identity not only teaches and models for young people the skills they need to thrive in the modern world, but also works to support their ultimate support system – the family.
"Since I have been part of the Identity family --because that is how they make me feel, as a family— the support has been comprehensive, from resources and financial assistance for myself and my children to an attentive ear when I have needed it or a word of encouragement when I wanted to give up out of fear. Identity has marked a before and after for me. I owe Identity my present and my promising future.”
Vanessa B. first encountered Identity when her son joined Jóvenes de Mañana, our after-school elementary reading program. She attended parent workshops to learn how to engage in his education and be a champion for his success. Later she joined Identity’s Parent Leadership Academy and learned how to be a champion for the community. When Identity opened up a Workforce Development program to parents, Vanessa seized the opportunity, and began attending the Early Childhood Education course, delivered in partnership with Montgomery College. After cleaning houses for 17 years, Vanessa says this training changed her life:
“Thanks to Identity the words fear and uncertainty are no longer in my future. Today I think about my future with joy, security and confidence because I have a profession that allows me to continue reaching goals. Today, I feel capable of achieving many things that years ago I thought were not for me. Working with children is the best experience I have ever had and I owe that to Identity.”
Together, we can celebrate the victories of youth and parents and offer help when something extra is needed.
Parte de la familia Identity, entonces y ahora…
A lo largo de los años, varios jóvenes y padres que alguna vez fueron clientes de Identity se unieron a nuestro personal. Conozca sus historias inspiradoras.
Jose Rosario
In 2001, Jose Rosario participated in Identity’s After School Program. He had not had a birthday celebration since he was three years old. Executive Director Diego Uriburu not only made sure to throw him a party that year, but helped Jose set high expectations for his future. Now, as Identity’s Senior Manager for Facilities Jose is proud to be able to help others the way he was helped.
Brayan Rivas
In 2011, Brayan Rivas was a high school student trying to get through “the last push” towards his diploma. He says Identity facilitator Stefanny S. motivated him to graduate and believed in his leadership abilities. Now a Coordinator, Brayan enjoys the family-like bond at work and is proud of how their collective efforts support the community.
Evelyn Ponce
Evelyn Ponce arrived in the U.S. with her husband and children eighteen years ago and soon discovered Identity’s parenting program. “My family received important information, food assistance and crucial help for mental health,” she remembers. Three years ago Evelyn jumped at the chance to join Identity as a Case Manager. “I love to share my history with the families that I serve, telling them that I was in the same situation as them.”
Rolando Quintanilla
Since middle school, Rolando Quintanilla says he has “always kept Identity very close.” Having experienced the positive impact on his own family, Rolando feels passionate about bringing that same sense of purpose and belonging to others through Identity’s Recreation program.
Oscar Barrientos
Just five years ago, Oscar Barrientos was an Identity client. He says Rec Manager Efrain Viana had a particularly strong impact on how he developed as a person. Since then, Oscar has himself become an inspiration as a soccer coach and Youth Development Specialist. As an Identity employee he’s most proud of “helping newcomers adapt to their new school environment.”
Angel Varela
“They changed my life; they taught me to accept myself as I am.”
When Case Manager Angel Varela was a client, he participated in Identity’s LGBTQ program. After 19 years working for the organization, Angel still remembers how co-founders Candace Kattar and Diego Uriburu got him through an identity crisis “like family.”
When Case Manager Angel Varela was a client, he participated in Identity’s LGBTQ program. After 19 years working for the organization, Angel still remembers how co-founders Candace Kattar and Diego Uriburu got him through an identity crisis “like family.”
Jonathan Henriquez-Lara
Identity Program Manager Jonathan Henriquez-Lara came to Identity as a client who needed a GED. His Identity mentor “believed in me,” Jonathan says, remembering the tears of joy he and his mother cried after he passed his exam. “We knew my life would change from that moment on.”
Magali Cruz
“Working with kids who recently arrived from their countries and seeing them grow and open up brings joy to my heart,” says Magali Cruz, an Identity facilitator and former client. As a teen in an Identity After School Program, Magali was inspired by her own facilitator. “Kenia Hernandez pushed me to open new doors and opportunities,” she remembers. “As a result, I discovered my field of study and became passionate about it."
Maribel Lopez
Maribel Lopez remembers how Program Director Carolina Camacho made her feel “like family” in 2012 when her teenage son joined an Identity program. A year later, she became an employee and is now working to help other Identity parents with a kind word and safety net support. “I am very blessed by my work.”
Marlon Morales
In high school, Marlon Morales says he and his friends were “a little bold,” and teachers did not want to deal with them. As an Identity client, he felt loved and heard. Through field trips and retreats, Marlon’s mentors showed him “how to have fun without negative activities in my life.” Now, as an Identity Program Manager, Marlon says, “I always loved to serve others. I am able to give back to the community and get paid for it. It’s a win-win situation.”
Ana Maria Toloza
Ana Maria Toloza had recently arrived from Colombia when she met Identity’s Majo Lizarzaburu who helped her navigate her new life as an American high schooler. Embraced by the Identity family, after high school Ana Maria had the opportunity to intern with the finance department, which led to her current position in Accounts Payable. “You can contribute from behind the scenes,” she says, adding, “I take great pride in being a Latina who is able to help more Latinos in need.”
Tatiana Murillo
When Tatiana Murillo came to the U.S. at age 11, she took on the responsibilities of an adult. Identity’s programs gave her the chance to be a kid again. Now, as Identity’s Director of Finance, Tatiana says that helping younger generations “makes my heart full.”
Stefanny Sarich
“I have never felt so heard,” says Identity’s Bilingual Mental Health Therapist, Stefanny Sarich, remembering her time as a client. When she opened up to an after-school facilitator about her abusive home life, she felt validated. As a therapist helping clients deal with trauma, “I wanted to be the supportive person I had while I was a participant.”
Allison Lopez
“Supported, motivated, and hopeful.” That’s how Workforce Development Specialist Allison Lopez wants to make her clients feel, because that’s how Identity’s Carlos Aguilar made her feel as a client. “Carlos helped me in the process of validating my university degree and gave me hope where I did not see it,” she says. “At Identity, we all have the same gift of serving those who need it most.”
Mabel Lozano
Mabel Lozano, Parent Outreach Worker, first came to Identity to learn how to advocate for her community’s children in school. “My life changed radically, because they motivated me to move forward, to not give up and to fight for my dreams,” she says. Mabel, whose son improved his English literacy through Identity’s after-school program, is proud “to be part of a positive change in the lives of others.”
Luis Serna
Luis Serna, a successful accountant in Mexico, emigrated to escape rising crime. He remembers meeting Identity’s Program Director Carolyn Camacho as he struggled to understand the school system for his kids. “I felt like I wasn’t alone — that there were some U.S. citizens who welcomed us with a friendly face.” Now Executive Assistant, Luis is proud to “give hope to people who might feel as I did long ago.”
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