Rico Granados, 20 yr old Mexican-American residing in the El Sereno area of Los Angeles. Aspiring entrepreneur.

What motivated me to join the LA Shadow Day program is the experience I would gain both advocating for youth and professionally, dealing with lawmakers and politicians.

I also wanted to represent people who have gone down the path I have. The path reminiscent of my youth involves dealings with the Juvenile Delinquency court, being a father at a young age and trying to get custody through the child dependency court, and being placed into juvenile hall, placement(s), and struggling with mental illness and drug addiction, as well as being at risk with gang participation.I wish to help youth that are going through things I’ve gone through, or are at risk of such. I also want to help people to make a positive change through developing themselves and advocating for their very own lives.

I would want to see those at odds with the juvenile justice system be given a new change, away from the neighborhoods or lives they’ve always lived with. I want to see people thrive. I see things for what they are, you see. Another thing I would like to see is more TAY in AB-12 placed in THPS so that they may understand what it means to live independently, and functioning as another citizen in this great country. I think fostering secure housing is detrimental, as it is one of the basic needs of youth trying to get their lives together.