I've been struggling to find an outlet to talk to kids about two topics that go hand-in-hand. Those topics are life's ambitions (and kids' perception of their idols) and drugs. Its no secret that my life-style throughout the course of my career has led me down various paths. I've been at the absolute high points you could aspire to achieve - wealth, homes on the beach, a barn full of cars and motorcycles, a music career and more. However, I've also been in the gutter at the lowest possible point you'd NEVER imagine you could be. I've lived through it and it was not easy.
Recently, I found East Side Neighborhood Services through a friend here in Minneapolis. This is an alternative high school in the North East community that has been here for 97 years! The great part about this organization is that they are not just a high school.. If you visit their link above, you'll see that they have senior citizen programs, adult work programs, job search services, family and food support. They invited me in yesterday (September 19th) over the lunch hour to speak to 60 kids about my life experiences. I gotta tell you.. I was nervous. These kids are from all different backgrounds and my feeling walking in, was that I am probably not the role model they're looking to speak to. My feelings upon leaving? All smiles - boy was I wrong.
What a great experience I had yesterday and Im really looking forward to delivering this talk in other venues. From the standpoint of someone who has tried everything there is to try when it comes to drugs, my experiences and warnings are from the heart and making an impact on just one young person's life is very rewarding. Though my message covered drug use, the tone of the hour was embracing your identity and tackling your dreams right now, while you have the energy, freedom and guts to put yourself in front of people and accomplish goals. Be somebody.
I feel pretty good about some of the feedback that came immediately after leaving - text messages from some of the kids and a facebook thank you from the Youth Department Director for making an impact.
"Thank you L.A. Nik for your genuine words to our group of high school students today. It takes real heart to open up and share about your ups and downs with the intention of inspiring young people. Congrats on your upcoming red carpet event, but in our eyes today were on the red carpet. Your life story, your strength and desire to use your life as a tool to ignite young minds to think differently about themselves, who they surround themselves with and how today's decisions impact tomorrow is truly what life is about. Again, thank you" ~Jazmin Danielson
*************************************************************************
TEXT MESSAGE "Hi my name is xxxxxxx. I was one of the kids at Menlo Park Academy. You are a very good motivational speaker. I hope to be an author one day, do know anyone looking for an intern"?
*************************************************************************
TEXT MESSAGE "You strengthened my resolve to not get into drugs. Thank you"
 |
| A portion of the room |
 |
| Really had a great time talking to this group |
 |
| I encourage you to tour East Side and see how you can help them out - financially or otherwise. To arrange an on-site tour, contact Mary Ostapenko-Anstett by calling 612-787-4033 or emailing manstett@esns.org. |
 |
| Computer lab - we're listening to some music made by students and talking about the industry. |
You can actually come out and support this school with me on October 13th from 1-4pm at the Historic Grain Belt building for the Nordeast Big River Brew Fest. All proceeds go directly to the East Side Neighborhood Services programs and its their second annual run.
 |
| Register for the event HERE. |
East Side Neighborhood Services has a big impact on the community around them and they're just off the beaten path. I'd like you to go visit them and see how you can help and come to the fund raiser listed above to meet some people and branch out.
Tell em' L.A. Nik sent you.
No comments:
Post a Comment