Crossroads for Kids Celebrates 42 Graduates in C5 Class of 2013 in Ceremony at Faneuil Hall

Crossroads for Kids, a nonprofit organization offering summer camp, year-round leadership training and college access programming for at-risk youth in the Greater Boston area, celebrated the accomplishments of the 42 graduates in the Class of 2013 at Faneuil Hall in Boston last Friday. The teens were honored to be joined by Carmen Ortiz, the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, who gave the commencement address touching on themes of perseverance and relying on community, and United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Steven Ricciardi, who presented the President of the United States’ Volunteer Service Award.

US Attorney Ortiz said that “it was an honor to meet with and speak to the C5 Class of 2013 during their graduation ceremony at Faneuil Hall.  These students are exceptional – they are committed to their academic studies, they are devoted to serving their communities, and they are leaders among their peers.  It is wonderful to see these students having the opportunity to realize their enormous potential. As graduates it is their time to seize the limitless opportunities that await!”

In her commencement address, US Attorney Ortiz exhorted the graduates to “dare to dream, dare to want it all- don't hold back, don't limit yourself and most of all, don’t let others limit you. Other people’s perceptions or stereotypes cannot keep you back unless you let them.” She also reminded the Class of 2013 to “be confident, and when that confidence wavers rely on your family, count on your friends to give you strength and support – the friends and family who are here supporting you today.” As the first woman and first Hispanic to represent the District of Massachusetts, US Attorney Ortiz’s personal story resonates with Crossroads’ teens, many of whom are confronting similar barriers. The Crossroads program, which combines immersive summer experiences with up to 10 years of school-year programming, is designed to change the odds for Massachusetts’ low-income youth, resulting in 10 out of 10 graduating from high school and 8 out of 10 enrolling in college. 

US Secret Service Special Agent in Charge and Crossroads Trustee Steven Ricciardi presented the President of the United States’ Volunteer Service Award to graduates with over 100 hours of community service, and further reminded the teens that the commitment to community service and giving back that they have learned at Crossroads is an integral part to helping them build bright futures for themselves.

The 2^nd Annual C5 Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Luis Fortes, a 2009 graduate of the Crossroads C5 program, who is graduating from the University of New Hampshire this spring with a degree in English. Luis was selected for this award based on his commitment to Crossroads, coming back to work each summer and at weekends throughout the school year, as well as his superlative academic and extracurricular achievements. Luis told the graduates that his Crossroads experience “is what gives me the drive, gave me the tools I needed and the support and the love that I needed to get where I am, accomplish what I have, and be accepting this award tonight.”

Congratulations to the Crossroads for Kids C5 Class of 2013. 

About Crossroads for Kids

Crossroads for Kids has been providing opportunities for at-risk Boston area youth to transform their lives for 75 years. Our non-profit organization focuses on nurturing and developing kids into their full potential through summer camp, college access and year-round leadership programming. Serving over 1,000 Boston area youth, ages 7-17, students uniquely benefit from our ten-year program that provides a consistent presence in their lives and a second family.  The organization’s curriculum inspires students to strive for academic achievement, leadership and instills in them a lifelong passion civic engagement. Students open their worlds to endless possibilities and consistently feel that they have a safe place to turn while involved with Crossroads, preparing them to meet life’s challenges as they learn, grow, and discover their own unique potential.  www.crossroads4kids.orgv