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For years, experts have agreed that kids and teens without guidance and with empty hands can become at-risk. A Central Florida nonprofit is trying to change that by getting kids connected with positive paths.Alysen Gutierrez’s life may be young, but it hasn’t been the easiest. She was born in Miami and says her family always struggled financially. “We got evicted out of a lot of our homes and had to bounce from house to house,” she said. “Growing up, there was a time period where in second grade … I couldn’t go to school, and I was in a homeless shelter with my family.”That instability, she says, led to drugs and addiction. Eventually, though, there was a glimmer of a path forward with a special connection. “Since day one, Alysen, her dedication was there,” Mayitza Rohena, founder and executive director of La Conexión Workshops, said. “La Conexión” translates to “The Connection” in Rohena’s native Spanish.Rohena and the nonprofit focus on connecting at-risk kids with professional experiences in the world of the arts. With her background in music production, Rohena has hosted workshops showing kids how to write, record and produce music.”We meet them where they’re at,” she said. “It can be a community center, it could be a school … as long as we can find a power outlet to plug in, we’ll do it.”Rohena explains it’s not just about the artist’s expression; that is a conduit to learn to collaborate, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and other interpersonal skills they can build on and use in any professional industry.In Gutierrez’s case, her dedication — sometimes taking 3-hour bus rides to attend a workshop — has earned her a college scholarship to study music.Rohena says that makes her feel like she’s “on purpose,” which Gutierrez says is helping her find her own.”I really want to be able to help her do what she wants to do,” Gutierrez said. “I believe in her dreams.”To learn more about La Conexión Workshops, visit their website here.
For years, experts have agreed that kids and teens without guidance and with empty hands can become at-risk.
A Central Florida nonprofit is trying to change that by getting kids connected with positive paths.
Alysen Gutierrez’s life may be young, but it hasn’t been the easiest. She was born in Miami and says her family always struggled financially.
“We got evicted out of a lot of our homes and had to bounce from house to house,” she said. “Growing up, there was a time period where in second grade … I couldn’t go to school, and I was in a homeless shelter with my family.”
That instability, she says, led to drugs and addiction. Eventually, though, there was a glimmer of a path forward with a special connection.
“Since day one, Alysen, her dedication was there,” Mayitza Rohena, founder and executive director of La Conexión Workshops, said. “La Conexión” translates to “The Connection” in Rohena’s native Spanish.
Rohena and the nonprofit focus on connecting at-risk kids with professional experiences in the world of the arts. With her background in music production, Rohena has hosted workshops showing kids how to write, record and produce music.
“We meet them where they’re at,” she said. “It can be a community center, it could be a school … as long as we can find a power outlet to plug in, we’ll do it.”
Rohena explains it’s not just about the artist’s expression; that is a conduit to learn to collaborate, how to give and receive constructive criticism, and other interpersonal skills they can build on and use in any professional industry.
In Gutierrez’s case, her dedication — sometimes taking 3-hour bus rides to attend a workshop — has earned her a college scholarship to study music.
Rohena says that makes her feel like she’s “on purpose,” which Gutierrez says is helping her find her own.
“I really want to be able to help her do what she wants to do,” Gutierrez said. “I believe in her dreams.”
To learn more about La Conexión Workshops, visit their website here.
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