By Luis Chacon, Coordinator of Youth Ministry

(Los Angeles, California) – Last Thursday, July 24, something remarkable happened at the Centro Juvenil de la Familia Salesiana in Boyle Heights. We celebrated the release of not one, but two books written entirely by students from Roosevelt High School y Bravo High School—a milestone that represents months of effort, courage, and vision.

Since December, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside these young authors through every step of this journey. Together, we explored not just writing techniques, but storytelling as a way of discovering who they are and who they want to become. What began as an idea turned into two powerful publications—one from each school—that reflect their hearts, their struggles, and their dreams.

The stories within these books go far beyond words on a page. Students wrote about their personal histories, their hopes for the future, and their reflections on the Hispanic Leadership Conference in Chicago, a trip that became a turning point for many of them. They tackled themes like resilience, identity, and what it means to prepare for opportunities that once felt out of reach.

This was made possible through SHOUT, the Salesian Family Youth Center’s journalism and leadership program at both public schools. SHOUT gives students the tools to articulate their stories—their vision—and, in doing so, discover the power they hold within.

On release day, the center was filled with family members, educators, and community members who came to celebrate and support these young writers. Watching them sign copies of their own books—often in disbelief that they had achieved such a thing—was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are given guidance, mentorship, and trust.

One student summed it up perfectly:

“I never thought someone like me could write a book… now I’m thinking about what else I can do.”

That’s the heart of this project. These books aren’t just pages—they’re proof. Proof that when young people are given the chance to create, they also begin to believe.

Here’s my invitation to you: come visit us at the Salesian Family Youth Center and learn more about programs like SHOUT that turn potential into power. Your support—whether through mentorship, resources, or simply spreading the word—helps us continue giving pens (and possibilities) to young storytellers.

Because when you hand a pen to a young storyteller, you never know how far their story will go.