02.06.2019

Treehouse Youth Takes Pride in Being Proactive

By Melodie, Treehouse Graduation Success Student

I love trying to make the world better for everyone around me.

My name is Melodie, and I’m a second-year student at Tacoma Community College in the Fresh Start Program. If I had to describe myself in one word, I would say I’m proactive. I don’t wait for things to happen in my life and throughout the community. Instead, I’m confident in my ability to actively drive real change.

Right now, my plate is fairly full with being a Peer Mentor in the Fresh Start Program, a Passion to Action Board Member—we make changes to the way the foster system works—and Captain of TCC’s team for Louder Than a Bomb, a yearly poetry slam hosted by Write 253.

I also am one of the leaders of TCC’s restorative justice circle, which serves as a resource for students, and I am working to start a club on campus to promote racial equity and inclusion. At the same time, I’m a full-time student and maintain an active social life.

My responsibilities can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but my passion for these issues keeps me going. Being passionate is not enough, though.

Youth everywhere can be proactive. To get started, identify an issue that needs to be addressed. That’s one of my favorite parts of the work I do. Then partner with an organization tackling that issue or start your own. From there, put in the time. Nothing happens without hard work.

The long nights and countless hours will pay off. You’ll make a difference that makes you proud of being proactive.