Santa Rosa Mayor Natalie Rogers’ Visit to REACH Provides Inspiration & Mentorship
The recent visit from Santa Rosa Mayor, Natalie Rogers, highlights our commitment to mentorship and community engagement. During her visit, she shared her personal story of grief and adversity. As a woman of color who has experienced trauma, the mayor’s story resonated deeply with the 90% of our population who are minority youth and have also faced significant trauma.
As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she also shared her expertise in group dynamics, emphasizing accessibility and encouraging the youth to bring community issues to her office. Her presence provided inspiration and hope, showing the young people that adults in positions of authority genuinely care about their well-being – and that they too can succeed like her.
“Don’t ever let anyone put you in a box - power over, under, or push yourself straight through, and out of that box!”
The mayor’s presence fosters a positive relationship between the city and the REACH program, promoting future collaboration and support for our mission. The visit is part of a broader collaboration aimed at violence prevention and youth development, aligning with our mission at the REACH program. By fostering relationships with local leaders, we aim to debunk the misconceptions about incarcerated youth and highlight the potential for growth and transformation among our Members. We are excited about the possibilities ahead that will help us enhance our services and continue making a positive impact in the community.
Mayor Rogers left the kids with a powerful mantra, saying to them: ”Don’t ever let anyone put you in a box - but power over, under, or push yourself straight through, and out of that box!”
Learn more about our REACH Program and how we are helping kids make progress through education, work, and health opportunities.