Life Directions - Peers and Mentors Making Changes in Marion County

They try to guide others toward taking a positive decision in the paths they choose in life.

All photos by: Lela Taylor

(SALEM) - Young children deal with violence and risk factors in Marion County every day, but now, many find a vision of hope through an organization called Life Directions.

We hear a lot about the bad influences our young people face, and frequently refer to it as peer pressure. But there is another kind of peer pressure according to Life Directions, an organization that emphasizes its belief in positive peer pressure and mentorship. They say it can change lives for young, at-risk individuals in our area.

I recently visited the Winter Event “The Child in Our Neighborhood” at Waldo Middle School, organized by Life Directions. This group reinforces the idea of forgiving so that violence can be diminished.

Life Directions was first established in Detroit, Michigan. The organization came to Marion County in July of 2003 to respond to the violence affecting the lives of young adults, ages 13 – 35. Life Directions in Marion County is supported by an active Board of Trustees and Advisors comprised of community leaders.

Marion County’s need for such a program stems from excessively high drop out rates in some high schools in Salem and Woodburn. They are almost twice as high as the state of Oregon’s figures. It was found that Hispanic students are twice as likely to drop out.

Ashley is one of the program's volunteers

The Peer Motivation Program, the Peer Mentor Program, and the Neighborhood Enrichment Program motivates at-risk, economically deprived young adults, primarily from minority backgrounds, to stay in school, to avoid violence and other self-destructive behaviors, and to become positive leaders in their community.

While interviewing the young people at this event, I found their reasons for volunteering were primarily to show others that they learned from the mistakes they had made, and that adversity can be overcome.

One 16-year old named Ashley says she wants kids to know there is hope for them. She shared her past experiences, and described how Life Directions has helped her in making good choices.

What I saw at this event was a group of young people and their families who seemed determined to make changes in their lives and to help others also make changes for the better. This is the importance of mentorship and the importance of positive peer influence.

Leo Rasca-Hildalgo shown on left

Dr. Leo Rasca-Hildalgo, the Director of Life Directions, talked about how personal and cultural values are respected and recognized as the dynamic of “Peers Inspiring Peers through Forgiving” unfolds on a daily basis.

He says the people he works with every day inspire him. Dr. Leo, as he is referred to, spoke to each young person as they walked through the door, and acknowledged them with a positive comment about their attendance at this event and to keep up the good work. Their responses to him showed respect and self-confidence. I learned that this was born out of their involvement with Life Directions.

There are two staff members in addition to Dr. Leo. Dale Willaman, an administrative assistant, came to Oregon to make a career change and was impressed by the philosophy of Life Directions and the help it was giving to disadvantaged children in our area. He says he loves working with individuals, especially young people, who are trying to change their lives in a positive way.

Program Assistant Sylvia Hurtado

Sylvia Hurtado, a program assistant, was a volunteer prior to becoming part of the staff. She has seen many positive changes happen with students who work together and develop trust. She works with the Peer Mentor program that assists middle school students preparing for high school. She views this program as one that is about giving to others.

Dora and Kelso are program volunteers

A girl named Dora who is 16, volunteers to help kids not make the same mistakes she did and to have better lives, while a 17-year old named Kelso hopes to make a difference for the next generation. Her views on life, overall, have changed since joining Life Directions.

A young man named Oscar volunteers through the expression of music and shows young people there is an active part of music, specifically in hip-hop music. He explains the need to break the "bad rap" hip-hop has gotten and he describes it as a cultural aspect of music, along with break dancing. As he played the hip-hop music two young men, Tony and Fausto, were demonstrating their break dancing skills. This reporter would definitely break doing this type of dance!

Another volunteer named Carlos, started with Life Directions when it first came to Salem. He is a graduate from Willamette University and holds a degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish. In speaking with Carlos, I could sense the deep devotion these volunteers have in helping direct at-risk young people positively in their life choices.

As Dr. Leo reiterated: “Rejoice in life of children; look on needs of others; have excellent attitude toward all; associate with all who are lowly; see your conduct as honorable in the eyes of all; offer understanding and love to all, especially those who suffer.”

It seems our community as a whole should look at these examples as we all would benefit by incorporating these life skills in our everyday affairs.

If you would like more information about this organization, please call (503) 581-0832 or follow the links provided below:
www.lifedirections.org