German Garcia explains his gratitude towards The Salvation Army of Greater Houston for their financial support as he moves on to obtain a college education.
 

German receives his scholarship award at the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Dinner.

Armed with little more than big dreams and a relentless determination the Garcia’s first arrived to the United States in 1980.  Their goal was simple, to give their children a better shot at life than what they had experienced in their native Mexico.  They hoped that through education and hard work their children would come to earn a better living and lead more comfortable lives in this, their new home.

Like so many others, they took menial jobs and sacrificed it all so long as their children had a roof over their head, food to eat, and clean clothes to wear to school.  Today, it is their son who stands bright-eyed and hopeful with many of the same dreams his parents once had.  Only now it is he who wants to give them a better life.

At The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command’s Youth of the Year Awards Ceremony, earlier this year, German Garcia poignantly expressed his gratitude to his parents.   

“There are two people that I have to thank for making all of this possible – my mother and my father. They have taught me the value of hard work and education, and most importantly the value of having self-dignity,” the 17 year old said in Spanish.  “Thank you mom and dad…I love you very much.”

Garcia was one of several area students who were awarded over $10,000 in college scholarships by The Salvation Army, last month, as part of the organization’s overall Boys & Girls Clubs youth program.

The senior at the Houston Independent School District’s Robert E. Lee High School, walked away with a $2,000 scholarship. Yet Garcia is quick to point out that what he has gained from The Salvation Army’s Boys & Girls Club has been much more than a monetary gift towards his higher education.  

At Lee High School, where many would argue expectations are low and turnover quite high, the 120 year old nonprofit organization’s Upward Bound program – a division of The Salvation Army’s Boys & Girls Clubs – serves as a safe haven for Garcia and many others.  Trissi Johnson works as the program director and is charged with the difficult task of introducing students like Garcia and their families to the benefit of earning a college degree.
 

Most of the kids I work with really don’t have any higher education aspirations.  They feel they’re lucky to even finish high school, so the challenge for us is making them want it,” she notes.  “Just in the last semester over 600 students have dropped out of school already.”

Upward Bound is an academic pre-college program that prepares and motivates low income and/or first generation high school graduates to attend higher education institutions.  Operated by The Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command, the program not only provides them entrance and admissions assistance, but also tracks and supports their efforts until they receive their college degrees.

If a student runs into a financial bind or needs assistance with their coursework Johnson is always available to counsel and assist them in finding the help they need.

“The odds are already stacked against them, so we want to make the process of earning a college degree as seamless as possible,” adds Johnson.  “Some students we don’t hear from until they have finished their degrees and are working professionals.  Others need that extra push.”

Garcia is hoping to be among the success stories.  His plans are to attend Boston University and pursue a degree in aerospace engineering, with the intention of eventually working for NASA.   All indications are that he is already well ahead the game having taken advance placement, college credit courses in mathematics and science while at Lee High School.

“German is a hard working student who leads by example; personifies what the meaning of a great student is, both in and outside the classroom; but above all, is a kind, smart and honest young man with a big heart.  He’s our success story of the year,” Johnson concluded.

For Garcia, Upward Bound has given him a new outlook on The Salvation Army’s work. 

“They are not only here to help those in need; they are here because they genuinely care about the community and its well-being.  They want the best for everyone; no matter who you are…that’s what they’ve proven to me.  For that I will always be appreciative,” he said.

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