Growing up in an FHDC Community- FHDC's 2011 Annual Appeal

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Aldo's Story

Aldo was10 years of age when he moved with his family to Nuevo Amanecer, FHDC’s housing community in Woodburn, Oregon. Before that, his family  of four lived in a small room at a relative’s home. Recently he was asked about his first impressions of Nuevo.  He smiled and said, “It looked big. It felt safe. Everybody was friendly and there was a lot to do. Everything was close by.”

Shortly after Aldo moved into Nuevo, in the fall of 2003, FHDC completed construction of the Cipriano Ferrel Education Center, a site designed to bring the community together and engage families in educational activities. Aldo jumped right in and was one of the first children to participate in FHDC’s After School Program. “I remember those days clearly,” he said. “After the bus would drop me off from school I would run to the Center. I played games and they helped with my homework.” (he added) deleted

When Aldo reached high school he was confident and prepared to succeed. He enrolled in the widely recognized International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and excelled his first year. Things would change his second year though. Aldo’s parents lost their jobs. He began working 20-30 hours to help his family. His grades began to drop. Aldo had many reasons to give up, but he didn’t. Instead he decided to work even harder. In his junior year of high school he started volunteering as a tutor at the same After School Program that helped him succeed. He became the lead singer for the Woodburn High School Mariachi Band. Through his involvement in FHDC’s After School Program, he was selected as Youth Counselor for the 4-H International Summer Camp.

In June of 2011, Aldo graduated from Woodburn High’s Academy of International Studies. A month later Aldo sang the National Anthem in front of 20,000 people at a Portland Timbers soccer club game. Today, Aldo is a student at Chemeketa Community College. He received a scholarship that covers his tuition expenses for two years. Aldo also interns in FHDC’s Fund Development Department. His long-term goals are to establish a law firm and ultimately create a foundation to provide scholarship to underrepresented youth.

While leading a tour of Nuevo Amanecer, Aldo was asked what difference FHDC’s housing has made in his life. He responded, “it’s giving me and my family stability. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for this home.”

"As we look ahead, I ask you to continue supporting the work of FHDC. Help us continue stabilizing families through the provision of decent affordable housing. Help children and youth like myself, by contributing to our education programs, such as the After School Program. Thank you." —Aldo