Young men, ages 18 to 24, who have been released from foster care live at the transitional living program at LeRoy's in La Verne. The center offers free housing and utilities to emancipated youths as well as a variety of services that prepare them for a life of independence after foster care.
Victor Alveno is one of these young men. The 19-year-old Citrus College student and former foster youth moved into the LeRoy Haynes Transitional Living Program at on Sept 9, 2009.
Since day one, Alveno realized how valuable the opportunity was to have free housing and utilities paid for. With this support he was able to focus on his studies at Citrus College.
He went to school full-time at Citrus, completing most of his General Ed and transfer requirements, and his determination to get a better life didn't stop there.
He was given more time and space that he didn't have in foster care. He used that time to have long nights of studying with his longtime girlfriend Adrianna Avila, who is currently in foster care and attends Citrus College.Alveno earned a 3.8 GPA at Citrus College during the 2010 spring semester. His name is on the Dean's List, which acknowledges students with a 3.5 GPA and higher.
Jason Green, project director for the Transitional Living Program, expressed pride in Alveno and his accomplishment.
"He's been aiming for his goals since he first got here and hasn't stopped. He keeps on moving forward," Green said.
"I didn't even know I made the Dean's List, let alone what it was, until Jason [Green] told me that it was a list with the top students at the school, I was like, oh, that's cool," Alveno said with a laughing smile.
Most of Alveno's motivation comes from his past when he was in foster care. He looks at it and says that he wants to have a better life for himself, and his future children as well as to become a better person.
"He's been studying constantly, staying up long nights and working hard. There are mornings where I can see he's tired," Green said.
He added that Alveno is resourceful. No matter how hard a class was he has always found a way to get through it.
Avila, who also helps him with his work, also motivates Alveno to get things done.
"We help each other out with homework, and we study together, pushing each other. I remind him sometimes that he has homework to do, and we go start it right away together," Avila said.
Their teamwork has gotten them though difficult classes.
"I haven't had to motivate him because he's very focused and has a sense of vision of what he wants. He's always looking into the future, and that's what drives him," Green said.
Alveno plans to graduate in spring 2011, go to Cal State Los Angeles and become a FBI agent or a U.S. Marshall.
With the help of his mentors and armed with motivation, Alveno will continue to pursue a career field of criminal justice. Citrus College professor James Woolum is among his mentors.
"Victor is a good student and nice guy. He came into class worked hard and performed well at what he was doing. He's going to be one of those students we're going to be proud of when he leaves," said Woolum.
Alveno has some inspiring words for former foster youths: "Go to college full time and make the most of the opportunities that you have. Nothing is out of your reach. Just push yourself."
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