The REC Center's Leaders in Training Program Starts Off Strong

The REC Center located in Grand Terrace has brought many programs and opportunities to the community; one of their newest programs is underway: the “Leaders in Training” program, is led by Terrace Hills Middle School's math teacher Omar Vergara. On April 25 Vergara partnered with Grand Terrace resident Joseph Navarro as they led six teenage students from Terrace Hills Middle School including Kenny Wallen, Raymond Cordova, Leonard Chavez, Emiajah Myers, Tobias Avenger, and John Massa as they set up camp at Donut House on Barton Road, making the effort to offer free coffee and donuts to all veterans. It was a simple way to honor veterans and to give back to those who served the country, they said. The group set up at a table with a banner draped from the edge of it that read “God Bless Our Vets; Free Donuts, Coffee, and Prayer.” Each veteran wasn't only greeted with a handful of smiling faces, but with a sudden surprise of a free breakfast on a cold, cloudy morning. Vergara shared, "I wanted them to see the looks on their [veterans] faces as they gave back to those that definitely deserved it." Vergara is the founder of this new program “Leaders in Training” (LT) at the REC Center. His overall goal and motivation behind the making of this program is to provide teens with positive experiences on a daily basis. "The whole purpose of the program is to get them involved. They need to be given these positive opportunities," he said. "We'll be doing community building skills, working on projects as a team; it will teach them to work hard, get involved with the community, and to also have fun while doing it." Throughout the program's short journey so far, Vergara has already taken the LT group hiking and has ongoing participation at the Teen Center in GT. Also, one of their most recent projects involved partnering up with a fellow Grand Terrace resident Joseph Navarro to support veterans throughout the community. During the donut giveaway, they served a total of 11 veterans and they are not stopping there. The LT program is planning to make their ‘veterans give back’ project a monthly event; specifically the last Saturday of every month. They plan to extend the project for Veterans and Memorial Day, as well. Vergara plans to lead the ‘Leaders in Training’ throughout various community service projects, sporting events, and much more within their community.