There are moments in life when a single opportunity changes everything.

For me, that opportunity came through JTO.

When people see me today, they may know me as a businessman, former Mayor of Hanford, founder of Kings Network News, or someone active in the community. What many do not see is the road that led me here.

It was not an easy road.

My mother died from a drug overdose when I was very young. My father struggled with alcoholism throughout much of my childhood and into my adult years. There were many days when life felt uncertain, and there were times when it seemed like the odds were stacked against me.

But even during those difficult years, there were people who stepped into my life and made a difference.

One of those people was my stepmother.

She was a beautiful Caucasian woman with bright blue eyes and one of the kindest hearts I have ever known. To me, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Not because of her appearance alone, but because of the love, patience, and stability she brought into my life when I needed it most.

She helped raise a young boy who had already experienced more hardship than most children should ever have to endure. When I needed encouragement, she was there. When I needed guidance, she was there. When I needed someone to believe in me, she was there.

Her impact on my life can never be measured.

As I reflect on my journey, I often think about the ups, the downs, and everything in between. One thing I have learned is that wisdom can come from anyone if we are willing to listen. It can come from the young, the old, and everyone in between.

For me, one of the biggest dreams I had growing up involved computers.

I remember asking my father for a computer when I was young.

I wanted one badly.

I was fascinated by technology and wanted to learn everything I could.

His answer was simple.

“You don’t need a computer.”

He could not understand why I wanted one so badly.

Most people would have accepted that answer.

I did not.

I was stubborn.

I started collecting discarded computer parts and teaching myself how computers worked. I spent hours in the library reading books and studying A+ certification materials. Piece by piece, I built my own computer from what many people considered junk.

I loved every minute of it.

The problem was not my desire to learn.

The problem was money.

I could not afford college.

I could not afford trade school.

I could not afford the certifications employers wanted.

That is where JTO entered my life.

Before I ever pursued a technology career, I participated in JTO’s Summer Youth Program.

Those opportunities gave me some of my first experiences in the workforce and taught me lessons that I still carry with me today.

One of my earliest jobs was with Richard’s Tree Service through the JTO Summer Youth Program.

As a young teenager, I was excited simply to have a job. It may not sound like much to some people, but earning a paycheck at that age meant the world to me.

Later, through the same JTO Summer Youth Program, I worked at Kings River-Hardwick School.

Those memories remain some of my favorites.

I remember Dwight.

I remember Andy.

I remember Jimmy Nino.

Andy was a special-needs individual whose kindness and positive attitude left a lasting impression on me. Every time I saw him, he brought a smile to my face. He worked alongside Jimmy Nino, and together they became part of some of the most memorable experiences I had during those summers.

Working with Andy taught me lessons about character, gratitude, kindness, and appreciation that I still carry with me today.

At Kings River-Hardwick School, I helped maintain the grounds, cleaned facilities, moved equipment, and handled custodial tasks around campus. I even got to drive maintenance carts, which felt pretty exciting for a fourteen-year-old kid.

More importantly, I was earning money.

I was helping my family.

For a teenager growing up in a household with limited resources, those jobs meant far more than a paycheck.

They gave me confidence.

They gave me responsibility.

They gave me my first taste of what it felt like to work toward a future.

JTO gave me more than employment.

It gave me hope.

But I still had bigger dreams.

I wanted a career in technology.

I wanted to become an engineer.

I wanted to build things.

I wanted to create.

When I returned to JTO seeking assistance for technical training, I learned there was a funding cap. Unfortunately, the cost of the certifications and training I needed exceeded the amount that was available.

Many people would have accepted the answer and moved on.

I could not.

I believed too strongly in my future.

I believed in my vision.

So I put together a presentation.

I explained why investing in me would be worthwhile. I explained that the money spent helping me would eventually come back to the community many times over.

I truly believed that.

I also brought bags of oranges from my father’s fruit stand and shared them with the staff.

Looking back, maybe I was trying to improve my chances a little.

But more importantly, I wanted them to see how serious I was.

I wanted them to see a young man who was willing to work for his future.

People like Becky Hudson, Laura Magaña, Mr. Chavez, Gordon, Brett Kennedy, and others listened.

They saw something in me.

They saw determination.

They saw vision.

Most importantly, they saw potential.

They took a chance on me.

That decision changed the course of my life.

Through their support, I enrolled at New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Fresno.

I did not own a car.

Every day, I took the bus.

Every day, I showed up.

Every day, I learned.

Every day, I got closer to the future I wanted.

I earned certifications and developed skills that would become the foundation of my career.

One memory still makes me laugh today.

At one point, the instructor was unavailable and I was asked to teach part of the class.

I was only eighteen years old.

There I was standing in front of students who were twice my age, teaching technology.

I remember thinking how funny it was that an eighteen-year-old kid was teaching forty-year-olds.

It was intimidating, exciting, and rewarding all at the same time.

Those certifications opened doors that otherwise might have remained closed.

I went on to work in computer engineering, web design, programming, graphic design, networking, and numerous other areas of technology.

The opportunities kept growing.

But what matters most is not what I accomplished.

What matters most is what happened because someone believed in me.

Years later, I would serve on the Hanford City Council and eventually become Mayor of Hanford.

I had opportunities to help residents, support community projects, advocate for positive change, and give back to the community that helped raise me.

When I look back, I often think about the investment JTO made in me.

They invested in one young man.

That young man went on to help thousands of people throughout his career and public service.

The return on their investment was far greater than any amount of money.

That is the power of believing in someone.

Today, my relationship with my father is much different than it was when I was young.

He still sells oranges, and if you ever see a gentleman selling oranges near Hanford-Armona Road, there is a good chance you have met my dad.

Life has a way of teaching us lessons.

People make mistakes.

People grow.

People change.

I can honestly say that I love him.

As the years pass, I realize success is not measured only by titles, money, or accomplishments.

It is also measured by the people who leave a positive mark on your life.

People like my stepmother, Dwight, Andy, Jimmy Nino, Becky Hudson, Laura Magaña, Mr. Chavez, Gordon, Brett Kennedy, and so many others helped shape the person I became.

There is another lesson I learned from those early years that I believe is just as important today as it was back then.

I truly wish California would find a way to bring back more opportunities for young people to enter the workforce at an earlier age.

When I was fourteen and fifteen years old, programs like JTO gave me the opportunity to work, earn money, learn responsibility, and develop a work ethic that stayed with me throughout my life.

Those experiences mattered.

They taught me how to show up on time.

They taught me how to take direction.

They taught me how to work with others.

They taught me that if I wanted something in life, I had to be willing to work for it.

There is something special about earning your first paycheck.

There is something special about knowing that your effort created value.

For me, those early jobs at Richard’s Tree Service and Kings River-Hardwick School were about much more than money. They were about building confidence, learning responsibility, and discovering what was possible.

I believe many young people today would benefit from those same opportunities.

Whether it is through programs like JTO, local businesses, restaurants, retail stores, or other entry-level jobs, giving young people the opportunity to work helps build character and confidence.

Some lessons are learned in a classroom.

Other lessons are learned by showing up for work, taking pride in a job well done, and understanding that hard work creates opportunity.

Programs like JTO helped instill those values in me at a young age.

I believe work ethic is one of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation.

Looking back now, I realize JTO did far more than help me find a job. It helped me discover what was possible when someone believes in your potential before you’ve had the chance to prove yourself.

As I reflect on my journey, one lesson stands above all others.

Never give up on your dreams.

Not when people doubt you.

Not when family members tell you it cannot be done.

Not when friends think your ideas are unrealistic.

Not when life gets difficult.

Throughout my life, I have met presidents, governors, mayors, business leaders, millionaires, and billionaires.

One thing nearly all of them have in common is that they never quit.

Many told me they read regularly, worked hard, woke up early, stayed focused, and refused to let obstacles define their future.

Success rarely comes from luck.

It comes from persistence.

It comes from effort.

It comes from refusing to give up.

That is why I always encourage people to read.

Read a couple of books every month.

Learn something new every day.

Invest in yourself.

Knowledge changes lives.

It certainly changed mine.

If you are looking for a job, looking for training, or simply looking for a place to start, I encourage you to visit JTO.

You may not find your dream career on day one.

You may not know exactly where your path will lead.

But every journey starts somewhere.

JTO was my starting point.

It helped transform a young man facing adversity into someone who found purpose, built a career, served his community, and dedicated his life to helping others.

For that, I will always be grateful.

Thank you to Becky Hudson, Laura Magaña, Mr. Chavez, Gordon, Brett Kennedy, and everyone else who believed in me when I was just a kid with a dream.

You changed my life.

And because you changed my life, you helped change the lives of many others as well.

If you would like to learn more about JTO, workforce training opportunities, youth employment programs, career development services, or resources available through the Kings County Economic Development Corporation, visit:

https://kingsedc.org/

Whether you’re a student looking for your first job, an adult seeking new career skills, or someone ready to take the next step in life, the opportunities available today could help change the course of your future, just as they changed mine.

Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Never stop believing in yourself. Your future is waiting for you to build it.

Have you ever had a mentor, teacher, employer, or organization that changed the course of your life? Share your story in the comments below.