YOUTH VOICE

Julia Castellanos
2026 Youth of the Year Nominee
After School Program | La Colonia Clubhouse

“Growing up, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest San Diego was never simply an after-school program to me. It was the foundation of my childhood, a second home that shaped my understanding of resilience, compassion, leadership, and community. From before kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I spent nearly my entire life surrounded by mentors, friendships, and opportunities that continuously challenged me to grow into the person I am today. The Club became more than a place I attended after school, it became an environment where I felt safe, supported, and encouraged during every stage of my life. Some of my earliest memories were formed within the walls of the Club. I remember running through the hallways as a little kid, excited for every activity the day would bring. Summers were spent attending camps, participating in games, and learning skills that would later help shape my future. I learned how to swim, cook healthy meals, and build strong study habits. At the time, these may have seemed like small lessons, but looking back, they became essential parts of my growth and independence. The Club taught me discipline through time management and academics, but more importantly, it gave me a sense of belonging and stability. What made the Club so meaningful was not only the programs, but the people within it. The staff members created an environment built on kindness and encouragement. As a child, I would run upstairs to greet everyone in the offices, stopping to talk or help with whatever small task they needed completed. Whether I was sealing envelopes with Mrs. Debi, setting up events with Mrs. Ally, or simply sitting and talking with staff members after a long day, I always felt valued. They never made me feel like “just another kid” attending an after-school program. They made me feel important, heard, and cared for. The Club also became a source of support for my family during difficult moments. During financially challenging periods, the Boys & Girls Club helped provide holiday support and assistance that relieved stress from my parents. While I was young at the time, I now recognize the impact those acts of kindness had on my family. Those moments taught me that community is not defined by convenience or obligation, but by people consistently showing up for one another during times of need. The Club demonstrated the true meaning of generosity and compassion, values that I now carry with me in my everyday life. As I grew older, the mentorship I received became even more significant. Like many teenagers, I went through periods where I began distancing myself from things that had once been familiar to me. High school introduced new responsibilities, social pressures, and personal struggles that often left me overwhelmed. During that time, mentors at the Club reminded me that I never had to face challenges alone. One mentor in particular, Mr. Bosque, had a profound impact on me. He consistently encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and made a genuine effort to ensure I felt seen and understood. Even during moments when I withdrew from others, he continued checking in on me and reminding me of my potential. Those conversations taught me that leadership is not always shown through recognition, power, or grand gestures. Sometimes leadership is quiet consistency. It is taking the time to ask someone how they are doing, offering encouragement when someone feels defeated, or simply being present during difficult moments. The staff at the Club embodied those qualities every day, and because of them, I learned that even small acts of kindness can leave lasting impacts on others. The values the Boys & Girls Club instilled in me were ultimately tested during one of the most difficult experiences of my life. One day, my mother called me with fear trembling in her voice to tell me that my father’s kidneys had failed and that he was bleeding internally. In a single moment, the stability and security I had always depended on suddenly felt fragile. My father had always been my protector, my role model, and my greatest source of strength. Watching his health deteriorate was one of the most painful experiences I have ever endured. Balancing school, work, and the
emotional weight of my father’s hospitalization quickly became exhausting. I tried to maintain a sense of normalcy in front of others, forcing smiles at school while privately feeling consumed by anxiety and fear. Every hospital visit felt emotionally draining. Seeing my father lying helpless in the ICU forced me to confront how fragile life truly is. For the first time, I felt powerless against circumstances completely outside of my control. During that period of uncertainty, I often felt emotionally isolated, even when surrounded by others. Yet despite the fear and exhaustion, I found myself relying on the lessons the Club had spent years teaching me. The support system that had guided me throughout my childhood reminded me that resilience is not the absence of fear, but the ability to continue moving forward despite it. The mentors, values, and experiences that shaped me at the Club gave me the strength to persevere during a time when I felt emotionally broken. Through faith, vulnerability, and the support of my family and community, I slowly began to heal. My father’s illness changed me in ways I never expected. It forced me to mature emotionally and taught me to appreciate the people and moments that often go unnoticed. I began to understand the importance of empathy on a deeper level because I knew firsthand how meaningful support can be during someone’s darkest moments. The experience also strengthened my desire to help others in the same way the Club once helped me. Looking back, both the Boys & Girls Club and my father’s illness fundamentally shaped my understanding of strength and perseverance. Together, these experiences taught me that true resilience is not developed during moments of comfort, but through hardships that force us to confront vulnerability and emerge stronger because of it. The Club provided me with more than childhood memories; it gave me lifelong values that continue guiding my decisions, relationships, and goals for the future. Today, I carry the lessons of the Boys & Girls Club with me in every aspect of my life. I strive to lead with compassion, support others without judgment, and remain resilient even when life becomes difficult. The Club showed me the importance of community, mentorship, and perseverance, and those lessons will continue influencing the person I become long after graduation. While many people search for a place where they truly belong, I was fortunate enough to find mine at a young age. The Boys & Girls Club was not simply part of my childhood, it helped shape my identity. It gave me confidence when I doubted myself, support when my family struggled, and guidance during some of the hardest moments of my life. Most importantly, it taught me that strength is not about facing hardships alone, but about allowing others to help you grow through them. For that reason, the impact the Club has had on my life is something I will forever carry with gratitude.”