During his graduation speech, Darrance shared, “Our journey to walk across the stage has not been an easy one. All of us have been through tough times, but we always had JRP to come to when we needed something, food, help, a friend, advice, a hug, a home and maybe a ride.”
For so many of the graduates, JRPLA is home. It is where their parents, staff, teachers and administration fought for their futures. From the continuous fight to get streetlights and sidewalks in the community for the safety of the scholars, to intensifying wraparound services for the scholars and their families.
“When I look at the underserved community that these children reside in, the YMCA is missing, the community pool is missing, I don't see Little League football, I don't see Little League soccer and baseball,” said says Willam “Coach” Fama, JRPLA’s Athletic Director. “So what we have done is monumental in nature to give these kids some offerings not only in this facility but outside of it.”
Many of the graduates described the feeling of being the first graduating class as legendary, but it can be said that what they will continue to accomplish in life will be legendary.
Mr. Phalen wants to remind the scholars that JRPLA will always be their home, “Come back to us anytime, reach out to us anytime if you choose, if there's anything that you ever need from anyone of us just reach out. We will help you with that and we will support you through that. We have such high hopes for your futures, but we feel so proud of all that you've done to get to this incredible milestone.”
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