Community Corner

Marine Provides Guidance, Hope at Highland Park Youth Home

Arturo Flores was emancipated from Highland Park's Optimist Youth Home in 2006, but he returned after serving in the marines to provide guidance to boys currently in the program.

Located on North Figueroa Street near the Eagle Rock border, is one of Highland Park's oldest institutions.

Formed in 1906 by the Strickland family after taking in an orphaned nephew, Optimist served a small group of young men in the early days while staying afloat thank to a dairy farm located on the property.

In the more than 100-years since its formation, thousands of boys have passed through Optimist's programs, which include both public and private high schools and foster care for troubled teens.

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Arturo Flores--a United States Marine and a "graduate" of Optimist's foster program--is one of those thousands of boys who passed through the program, and returned as s man.

On Sunday, the The Los Angeles Times featured Flores journey from a troubled teen to respected counselor.

Find out what's happening in Highland Park-Mount Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From the Los Angeles Times:

Those living in the 12-bed Independent Living unit pay attention when Flores discusses the challenges — and opportunities — that await them after emancipation.

"He's been through what we've been through," said 17-year-old Issak Okita, who took up residency at Optimist because of teenage vandalism and drug possession in Hemet. His goal is to become a financial planner.

"He's been in our shoes. I look up to him a lot," agreed Vincent Balderas, 18, of East Los Angeles. Balderas said he doesn't like to talk about past transgressions, focusing instead on becoming a chef when he leaves the Optimist program in August.


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