Mr. LoRe ran a baseball camp and asked if I would be interested in printing t-shirts for his camp. My first paid job. I was so excited, that I was given the opportunity to do something for a person, whom would teach me to be responsible, as well as trustworthy by believing that I could do it. It meant a great deal to me.

Growing up was difficult since my father was an alcoholic, living in a low-income environment, with violence going on outside my window, and having no one around to talk to. While growing up, all I did was help my dad work, help my mom around the house and help raise my baby sister. I really never got a chance to get into school. All my life I was always put down. I always tried looking for someone to look up to. I thought that I wouldn't find that person.

Unexpectedly, I met a friend, someone who cared, and most importantly would never judge me. He is my mentor Tony LoRe. I never expected someone to just come into my life, and be there for me "just because". He talk's to me like I'm somebody; I always thought this person would be a relative. He has always been there for me without judging me, telling me what to do, or how to do it. Instead, he has lent me an ear to resolve my problems by realizing what I've done, and helps me to construct my own solution.

Now I have a 4-year-old boy who loves his pops as I love him. I continue to own my part-time silk screening business. I also became a mentor myself, to be there, for another child to provide him with the opportunity that was given to me. He looks up to me, and all I did was listen to him and be his friend. I currently work for the man that I look up to, my mentor. I assist him to run a mentoring program called "Youth Mentoring Connection."

Thanks for being there!

Sincerely,
Rene Ruvalcaba
AKA: Mr. Groovy