When was the last time you ran into someone who really inspired you and reminded you of why you love the work you do?This happened to me just this week!   

Gloria Casa

 

My longtime friend, Greg Clary with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, put me in contact with Gloria Casas, a lovely woman and community champion from La Feria, Texas. Gloria has served on her local school board for 18 years, has a true heart for young people and a desire to inspire and invest in them, and as a result revitalizes their communities!

 

Gloria believes entrepreneurship plays an important role in this transformation. Gloria and her husband helped their son start a local restaurant two years ago after he graduated from college and received his MBA. In our conversation, Gloria shared how his passion to own a business overshadowed any interest in taking a job.Through this experience she discovered how important it is to invest in entrepreneurial talent beginning at a very young age!

 

My conversation with Gloria also put into context why the work that you and I do is so important to young people and the future of our rural communities. She is troubled by the negative influences young people experience today and sees firsthand the impact it is having upon them and her community. I shared with Gloria how positive youth engagement with adult mentors, like herself, can help young people move away from these negative influences and focus on their gifts and passions, and then act upon their true potential with the support of the community and school.

  

Gloria and I will be working on a youth assessment with six schools in her region beginning in early January. With Gloria's heart for young people and her leadership skills, I am confident that the lives of many rural youth will be changed forever in ways we cannot even imagine.

 

Craig Schroeder

And this is what the work we love is all about; making a lasting difference in the lives of young people and changing the future of our rural communities! Thank you for all you do to make a difference!

 

Happy Holidays to you and all those you hold dear, 

Craig