Empowering Students to Discover Their Passions
One of the most meaningful ways we can impact the lives of young people is by helping them discover their passions and career paths early on. The sooner students identify what they truly love doing, the happier and more fulfilled they will be. At Valley Guardians Leadership Program, we believe that learning shouldn’t be limited to the classroom. We encourage students to take action—whether through earning an allowance, helping friends and family, starting a business, or getting a job.
The Power of Action-Based Learning
When students take initiative, they begin to understand their strengths and weaknesses on a deeper level. This type of experiential learning fosters growth that simply isn’t possible through textbooks and lectures alone. Students who engage in real-world activities develop an inner drive and learn at a rate far beyond that of their peers who rely solely on traditional education. Moreover, seeing the practical applications of what they learn in the classroom makes them happier and more invested in their work.
Guiding Students Toward Success
Valley Guardians Leadership Program is dedicated to helping students find and pursue the career paths that best suit their unique talents, strengths, and circumstances. Whether their path leads to trade school, community college, university, or straight into the workforce, we are committed to supporting them in making the best decisions for their future.
Jade Alexander: A Story of Resilience and Entrepreneurship
Jade Alexander exemplifies the Valley Guardians philosophy. She joined our program in the winter of 2022, during a period of significant change in her life. Jade was a competitive cheerleader, performing at a national level, but she began to feel the strain—both financially and emotionally—of maintaining this rigorous lifestyle. More importantly, she realized that cheerleading might not be her long-term career path.
With determination and courage, Jade decided to leave cheerleading behind and explore new opportunities that would better prepare her for future success. The transition was challenging, as cheer had dominated much of her time. She struggled to find a new direction and make the most of her newfound freedom. However, with the support of her mom and others, Jade began to discover new activities that would help her grow in different ways.
Turning Passion into a Thriving Business
One such activity was creating flowers out of ribbon and other materials. Jade quickly developed a talent for this craft, and her beautiful creations garnered attention from those around her. Encouraged by the positive feedback, Jade started her own Instagram page to showcase her work and gradually turned her hobby into a successful business. Today, she creates custom ribbon flowers for clients on special occasions. You can see her stunning work and support her business by visiting Jade’s Instagram.
Preparing for the Future
In addition to running her business, Jade has also joined the Maricopa ACE (Achieving a College Education) Program, which is nationally recognized for its success in helping underrepresented students transition from high school to college. This program has allowed Jade to earn college credits while still in high school, giving her a head start on her college education and helping her explore potential career paths. If she continues on this path, Jade will be close to earning an associate degree by the time she graduates from high school.
The Role of Parents and Educators
Jade’s journey highlights the importance of action and exploration in a student’s life. As parents and educators, it’s our responsibility to guide them in finding their passions and career paths. By doing so, we not only help them achieve personal happiness but also equip them with the tools they need for financial stability in an ever-changing world. At Valley Guardians, we are proud to be a part of this transformative journey.
THE VALLEY GUARDIANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Valley Guardian program is a multiyear coaching program for underserved students in the community. It was created by successful business people in the valley. They got together and formed a non-profit to find ways to fund developmental programs for kids in underserved communities. This program was aimed toward the underserved kids in the valley who have good hearts and have a desire to be successful and be mentored. The kids who are a part of this program have access to all different kinds of services like professional coaches, coaching calls, getaways, leadership education and training workshops, access to professionals in the valley, college and career readiness and more. The Valley Guardian program started with a single school of 6 students, and overtime has grown to 13 schools, 7 districts, and 49 active students. Overall there have been 120 students who have benefited from this program.
The Valley Guardians program offers over thirty online and in person workshops per year. We do many different types of workshops per year including things like arcades, parks, hikes, parties, and online leadership training. Many of the kids who come are not very social and are looking for a place to feel comfortable and be able to meet new people while being themselves. When they come to programs they have a great time. The way we set them up makes kids feel comfortable, whether we ask them what they are interested in doing or set them up to meet new people through social activities at the beginning of each event. The students find they feel connected and accepted through the program.