Franky's Story: A student from our YCSC LA CAUSA site shares his experience

The following is a testimonial from Franky James, a 21-year old student at LA CAUSA YouthBuild. YouthBuild Charter School of California provides the educational component at LA CAUSA. For more information about LA CAUSA click here.

Franky in the classroom

I overheard my cousin talking about his school with so much excitement and joy. So I asked him, “What school are you going to?” He said, "Los Angeles Communities Advocating, Unity, Social Justice & Action 'LA CAUSA.' They help you obtain your high school diploma, and stay in contact with you after graduation." I was so interested that the next day I went to get more information. I was nervous at first because I thought It was going to be the same as the adult school I attended a few months prior, they were no help what so ever. They just handed you a book with a booklet of assignments due at the end of the class and it was hard for me to learn with the class full of students. When I got to LA CAUSA we were required to attend an orientation explaining the policies and regulations of the program. During the orientation I was stunned by the rules and regulations being expected from us but I had nothing against it because I know it was for my own safety and was glad they have such standards for students to follow.

Franky and a classmate give a presentation

David Flores Jr. and Rogelio Medina, teachers at LA CAUSA, were in charge of a class that caught my attention. The name of the class was Chicano Studies and it was a class that you had to attend at California State University Los Angeles every Friday. I was up for the challenge, but only 15 students were admitted out of 30 students that applied. I was not going to give up a once in a lifetime opportunity so easily, so I applied and I made it! I was extremely excited and couldn’t wait to go. When I heard what the Chicano Studies class was going to focus on I was super excited. The book explains the course well, “Race, Class, and Gender in the United States.” I couldn’t wait to get my own book. It took too much time to get the books in time for our class, so we had to make copies of every section, which were missing words that made it hard for us to read. I was scared because my class presentation was days away and I still didn’t have a book to study the subject being asked to talk about.   

LA CAUSA students on the bus to CSULA

... I got my book two days before my class presentation about gender and sexuality in the U.S and didn’t give me enough chance to study. I had to talk about how men in the U.S hold power over women. Gay men regardless of their sexual orientation still hold power over women. Being gay sometimes is a sign of weakness. For example if you’re a gay women you don’t hold as much power as a straight women. Which till this day I don’t get because being a women is still a sign of weakness regardless. I ended up receiving a perfect score I was excited and proud of myself that even though I did not feel prepared I did not give up. The professor introduced our next assignment and I wasn’t happy. We were required to write essays, which I was afraid of because I never learned how to write an essay.

Rogelio, Franky and Emily working late into the night

Twice I had help from David and Rogelio. They would stay with us at LA CAUSA helping us finishing up our essays until 6 in the evening. Due to Rogelio’s work outside LA CAUSA he was able to provide us with tutors from University of California, Los Angeles which I was excited about because I want to attend UCLA in the future. Lucky for me I was able to get help from Emily, an AmeriCorps VISTA from YouthBuild Charter School of California, who helped me with my final essay “Critical Race Theory: Breaking the Silence of Oppression,” which I’m so proud of because I was so close to giving up. I did not give up and I ended up earning an A. Chicano Studies is one of the best experiences I have had in my life and I am never going to forget. It has proven to me that I can do anything I set myself to do.

Franky hard at work

More About the Author: My name is Franky James and I am a YouthBuild Charter School of California student at LA CAUSA in East LA. I am 21 years old. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, California.  I enrolled at YouthBuild Charter School also known as Los Angeles Communities Advocating for Unity, Social Justice and Action (LA CAUSA) about 5 months ago and it has been life changing. I can't thank the LA CAUSA staff enough for what they have done for me. La Causa has changed my life in a positive way. I'll be attending East Los Angeles College this summer and cannot wait. I'm going to major in History and hope that with the help of La Causa, I'll be able to attend a university, preferably the University of California, Los Angeles.

Franky & LA CAUSA students at Occupy LA

More About LA CAUSA: One of YouthBuild Charter School's partner organizations, LA CAUSA engages disenfranchised young people and their families from East Los Angeles to take action against the injustices that impact low-income communities of color. LA CAUSA fosters a commitment to social justice and nurtures a variety of skills necessary to act as agents of resistance and community transformation. LA CAUSA fulfills this commitment through the creation of an inclusive and supportive community where they utilize culturally relevant instruction within their educational, vocational, housing and leadership development programs. YouthBuild Charter School of California provides the educational component to LA CAUSA's community advocacy/YouthBuild program. The executive Director of LA CAUSA is Robert Zardeneta. To learn more about LA CAUSA, click here.