Growing up, I experienced firsthand what it was like to live in an underserved community. My family relied on government assistance and local food banks, and Oakland in the 1990s was a challenging place to grow up. Gang violence was a regular part of the environment around me, and bullying in high school eventually led me to drop out. That experience is a big reason why I believe alternative education is so important—not only for students who struggle with the traditional public school curriculum, but also for those who may not feel like they socially fit in. Every child deserves the opportunity to complete their education, and every child deserves access to opportunities that are not limited by their family’s income or circumstances. That is one of the reasons I appreciate the YMCA and programs like Youth Chance High School, which help students earn their high school diplomas. I also value the YMCA’s work to raise funds for youth camps, urban services, and family resource centers that support people in need. This is why I support the Y and why giving back to our community matters to me. If you feel the same, I hope you’ll join me.