Testimonials
2008 DREAM MAKERS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
Lizette Esquivel, 2008 Dream Makers Awardee
My name is Lizette Angelica Esquivel. I am thirteen years old, Mexican American and I was born and raised in Southwest Detroit. I am the second of four sisters being raised in a single parent home and I go to Creative Montessori Academy. I joined Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation’s Southwest Detroit Youth Leadership Council in January 2008 because I wanted to make a difference in my community. I was honored to be selected by the Leadership Council to attend the National Council of La Raza’s annual Youth Leadership Conference in San Diego, California where I had the wonderful opportunity to meet other youths from around the country and learn about leadership in the Latino community.
I want to continue to make a difference in my community by using what I learn at DHDC about policy and advocacy, debating, job readiness, statistics, and apply it to my work and my life. It is very important for me to help raise awareness among my peers and adults in the community about high school drop-out rates and the impact of gang violence and substance abuse on youth.
2008 DREAM MAKERS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
Sonya Rojas, 2008 Dream Makers Awardee
My name is Sonya Rojas. I am 16 years old. I go to Cesar Chavez academy high school. I was born May 2, 1992, in Detroit Michigan. I was really young when my parents got divorced. My Father was in and out of my life but mostly out. I have never had a father figure in my life. Luckily I grew up around a lot of strong women who taught me how to be strong without a father.
When I started coming to DHDC I discovered a lot about myself that I never knew was there. I discovered just how powerful my voice really is and how much it matters. The Group Overcoming Obstacles in Detroit (G.O.O.D) program has had an amazing impact in my life. I am way more involved in the community and I love it. I have had the most wonderful experiences while being a part of the G.O.O.D program. The G.O.O.D. program has given me so many golden opportunities. So many doors have opened. Coming to DHDC was taking my first step towards success.