Growing up in south Phoenix, I learned about diversity in a different way than most kids, and it wasnt just about race or religion. My parents are immigrants, and when you come from an immigrant family you can feel different from everyone around you because your problems are different. My family struggled with finances a lot, and it was hard to figure out how we were going to pay for food, or where we would live. Even playing sports was an issue, because my parents would argue about how to pay for the health insurance in case I got hurt.

The easy path for me probably would have been gangs, or abusing alcohol or drugs. There are a lot of things that offer to protect you from your life, or at least make the hurt a little less. Most of my friends and cousins are in gangs, and there was a lot of pressure to join. To be honest, I can understand why a gun and a gang can give you protection, and drugs can give you an escape, and both of those things sound pretty good when your life feels really hard. My parents had no idea how to get me away from these influences, and Ive watched two friends die of drug overdose. I know they were worried.

Then my Mom found the Club - a place for me to play sports, a place that they could afford. In Club, I found staff members like Ruben, who helped me understand why school is so important. My friends there have been the positive influence that I needed. Things at home dont always feel safe and it changes a lot, but I learned that every day I had a safe place to be in the Clubs.