A Reflection Piece by TLC-TnT College Counselor, Gabriel Gutierrez
Tender Love N’ Care – Think N’ Try is more than a summer program, it’s a community. Ms. Palmerton started it long ago and, thanks to her efforts, I was given the opportunity to support local youth through the gang prevention program. What people might not realize, however, is that counselors get just as much from the program as participants do. I was reminded of the fact that “getting by” in school was different than pushing myself and striving for excellence in everything I do. Just because I was not skipping school and getting into gangs, like so many of my friends and family did, did not mean I was getting ahead, much less that I was helping change my community for the better. Being part of this program taught me the importance of discipline, hard work, self-love and giving back.
At TLC TNT, we understand the program flourishes when counselors become invested; it is hard not to be invested when you are serving your own community. I was born and raised in North Portland, a place generally referred to as a “bad neighborhood” because of a gang presence. What people fail to remember, however, is families live here. It can be difficult to dream about things we have never seen, like being the first in a family to go to college. However, with the support of fellow counselors, the motivation campers provide, and the guidance of Ms. Palmerton, I was able to achieve more than that. I became the first in my family to go to college, earned a full ride scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and have the opportunity to inspire younger generations.
Gangs provide an outlet, support, and a sense of belonging to troubled youth. My community, and consequently the people who make it up, was labeled “bad.” However, at TLC TNT, we choose not to label kids as “bad.” We create possibilities to live up to by trying to see the best in everyone and, more importantly, making them see the best in themselves. TLC TNT is the only place where I have seen a clear effort to remind children in my community they are worthy and should always love themselves. We recognize the importance of education, community involvement, and know we must be the change we wish to see.
I know working with TLC TNT to promote this message has impacted my life. I feel connected to the youth in my community when I work with the program and remember Ms. Palmerton when I am on campus at Saint Mary’s College of California. She continues to promote education, self-love, and never fails to organize volunteering opportunities. I know the values TLC TNT instilled in me were key to receiving the Gates Millennial Scholarship in 2015. Promoting love goes a long way when it translates into action. Thanks to Ms. Palmerton, donors, and dedicated counselors, TLC TNT is still impacting people like me.
- Written by Gabriel Gutierrez 2017
At TLC TNT, we understand the program flourishes when counselors become invested; it is hard not to be invested when you are serving your own community. I was born and raised in North Portland, a place generally referred to as a “bad neighborhood” because of a gang presence. What people fail to remember, however, is families live here. It can be difficult to dream about things we have never seen, like being the first in a family to go to college. However, with the support of fellow counselors, the motivation campers provide, and the guidance of Ms. Palmerton, I was able to achieve more than that. I became the first in my family to go to college, earned a full ride scholarship through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and have the opportunity to inspire younger generations.
Gangs provide an outlet, support, and a sense of belonging to troubled youth. My community, and consequently the people who make it up, was labeled “bad.” However, at TLC TNT, we choose not to label kids as “bad.” We create possibilities to live up to by trying to see the best in everyone and, more importantly, making them see the best in themselves. TLC TNT is the only place where I have seen a clear effort to remind children in my community they are worthy and should always love themselves. We recognize the importance of education, community involvement, and know we must be the change we wish to see.
I know working with TLC TNT to promote this message has impacted my life. I feel connected to the youth in my community when I work with the program and remember Ms. Palmerton when I am on campus at Saint Mary’s College of California. She continues to promote education, self-love, and never fails to organize volunteering opportunities. I know the values TLC TNT instilled in me were key to receiving the Gates Millennial Scholarship in 2015. Promoting love goes a long way when it translates into action. Thanks to Ms. Palmerton, donors, and dedicated counselors, TLC TNT is still impacting people like me.
- Written by Gabriel Gutierrez 2017