George
Resilient
Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors. George is the personification of Resilient.
George grew up in Salinas, California where he knew the love of family and hard work, but the impoverished area where he lived took a toll. “There was a lot of community violence and zero tolerance for youth who got into trouble. In those days, the punitive approach was the only approach,” George said. Those repercussions landed George in juvenile hall at the age of 14 due to minor school infractions & testing positive for marijuana. “They would ask me, what’s the matter with you? And I would think, why are you not asking me how you can help me?”
George was a good student, but there was a disconnection with the administration and low-income students. “They would ignore the slow learners,” he said, “My destiny was the school to prison pipeline, where they would funnel kids into the incarceration system,” he stated. Over the years, he ended up in two group homes and three years in the California Youth Authority Youth Prison in Ione, CA. “Between the age of 16 to 19 they put me in youth prison for fighting in juvenile. There was a lot of trauma in jail, kids had to fight to protect themselves. That prison was finally closed down after numerous punitive actions, suicides and lawsuits.”
While incarcerated, his only outlet was his passion for strength training, reading and fitness. While he was incarcerated, he went to Fire camp to fight fires. He also worked with a fire captain who took note of his hard work. After being released, George was hired and became a Firefighter working for the California Department of Forestry/Cal Fire, earning his EMT, Wild Land Fire Certificate and First Responder Certificate. He worked there for three years, but was incarcerated again due to a technical violation of parole for a minor infraction. At the age of 26, he ended up in prison again for 3 years, 8 months for fighting in a bar.
After getting released, George persevered. He worked with a non- profit in Salinas advocating for redistribution of funds for the impoverished and giving a voice for the incarcerated, and continues to this day. He went to Gavilan Junior College in Gilroy earning a certificate in Sports Medicine and Kinesiology. And in 2017, he enrolled at UC Davis, completing his undergraduate studies in Community and Regional Development in 2020. He will graduate with his Master’s in May 2022. His fortitude has driven him to make changes in his community for the better. He started Team Villa Gym, a non profit for the local youth, working hard to find resources through grants and non-profits. “Fitness was always important to me. I wanted to provide a place where the youth could come and not have to pay,” said George. He found resources beginning with his mom’s garage, growing into a leased space, using older equipment. He also bought a boxing ring, where he trained his nephew who is now one of the top ranked featherweight boxers in the world. The culture of his gym is one of inclusion and care. “I want to give back to the youth in the area. We want our gym to be one that personifies respect, gratitude, leadership and hygiene. It’s been six years since the gym opened. We are now partnering with health organizations to support the under served community. And at the end of January, we are expanding into a new facility that will be twice as big.”
Fostering Success and Significance has been instrumental in George’s success. “The number one thing that stands out to me is that FSS is relational centered, not transactional. I feel the love and support. My advocate is someone I can talk to, I can count on him,” George states, “FSS does the heart work, and I have benefited. Every little thing counts. As a result, I have introduced FSS to other students that are now in the program.” George is doing amazing things, despite the setbacks. He is resilient, giving and focused. “God saved my life,” he says.