What started as a compelled feeling to lend our (young professionals) knowledge and wisdom to tomorrow’s leaders, turned to be a great inaugural program for the CLIMB Youth Leadership Institute.

In CLIMB’s journey of service, there are simultaneous efforts that occur during the various activities and operations: efforts to showcase what we do, efforts to seek out more volunteers, efforts to attract funders, etc.

With that said, after being introduced to Ira McAliley (Tight Spots Media) through Curtis Jewell (President & CEO of MyCypher.com), we were excited to finally capture [through video form] a portion of our work and be able to show our many supporters/potential funders a glimpse of CLIMB in action.

Lastly, I ask that you please help spread the word and efforts of CLIMB, by simply reposting the video link (here), adding to your facebook profile, or any other form of broadcasting. We thank you in advance and always encourage you to get involved, join the CLIMB.

pictured above: Students line up Saturday before the start of the Operation Graduation Winter Commencement Ceremony at USC’s Bovard Auditorium. The ceremony presented at-risk teens with high school diplomas and GEDs from alternative education programs run by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

At USC on Saturday, 170 at-risk teens — young mothers, juvenile camp inmates, troubled students — are awarded their high school diplomas and congratulated by keynote speaker Magic Johnson.

By Seema Mehta (LA Times)

Tevin Bradley ran with the wrong crowd, started doing drugs when he was 14 and picked fights so frequently that he was kicked out of a continuation school for troubled teens. So when the 17-year-old received his high school diploma Saturday, it symbolized not only academic achievement but also a radical life change.

“I didn’t see myself getting here,” said the Bellflower teen, clad in a burgundy cap and gown. If not for a dedicated teacher and his parents, he figures, he would have ended up “in jail or on the streets. Not here.”

Bradley was among more than 170 teenagers who completed their high school education through alternative programs run by the Los Angeles County Office of Education. They were honored at an afternoon commencement ceremony Saturday at USC’s Bovard Auditorium with parents, siblings and friends cheering as they crossed the stage to the familiar strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.” 

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