This summer, Alexandria’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) gave participants the opportunity to learn not only workplace skills but also life skills that build resilience through valuable training experiences.

Understanding ACEs: Building Awareness and Resilience

Dr. Temi O. Aregbesola, MPH, PhD led the “Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)” training, which introduced SYEP participants to the science behind childhood trauma and resilience. The training explained:

The ACE Study: How early experiences like abuse, neglect, or household instability shape lifelong health, education, and economic outcomes.

• Stress and the Brain: The impact of chronic stress on brain development, behavior, and learning.
• Resilience and Healing: Tools and strategies individuals and communities can use to foster resilience and break cycles of trauma. 

This training helps youth gain awareness of the importance of emotional well-being, empathy, and self-healing in their future workplaces and communities. 

Employer Panel: Real Stories & Real Journeys

SYEP hosted a panel of local employers who shared their personal career paths and lessons learned. Their stories emphasized perseverance, community, and the importance of creating healthy work environments. These are all themes that align closely with resilience and trauma-informed approaches that Dr. Temi’s ACEs training touched on. 

Roberto Gomez- Owner of Cornerstone Craftsman and founder of a local nonprofit, Roberto spoke about his journey from learning construction trades to starting his own remodeling business. His defining moment came when he realized his skills were undervalued, inspiring him to take the leap into business ownership. For him, resilience meant pushing through early financial struggles and finding meaning in employing others and giving back to the community. 

Don Sleman- Representing the Electricians Union, Local 26, Don highlighted the critical role that unions play in protecting workers and giving them a voice. He shared how his first job in fast food exposed him to poor working conditions, and how those experiences fueled his lifelong calling to fight for worker rights. For young people, his story emphasized how resilience comes from advocacy, solidarity, and building supportive workplaces. 

Frank Cannon- A field superintendent with C.J. Coakley Co., Frank described his path from apprenticeship to leadership in large-scale construction projects. He emphasized the importance of having mentors and the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a project through. His story reinforced how teamwork, perseverance, and pride in one’s work help people thrive even in demanding industries. 

Christina Manuzco- Director of Small Business & Entrepreneurship at the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP), Christina reflected on her early experiences in retail and her eventual pivot to economic development. She shared how creating spaces like farmers markets showed her the power of building community and helping entrepreneurs succeed. Her message to youth is that resilience comes from adapting, reimagining career paths, and finding work that benefits not only yourself, but your community.

The combination of Dr. Temi’s ACEs training and the employer panel created a unique learning experience for SYEP participants. While ACEs research shows how early adversity can shape lives, the employers’ stories showed how resilience, mentorship, advocacy, and supportive communities can redefine careers and life trajectories. Together these experiences highlighted that resilience isn’t just about surviving challenges, but about using those challenges as fuel to grow. 

A Thank You to Participants and Partners

The City of Alexandria extends its gratitude to the youth who showed curiosity, determination, and growth throughout the summer, as well as to the employers who shared their wisdom and provided real-world opportunities. Special thanks go to Dr. Temi Aregbesola for leading an impactful training on ACEs and the panelists for sharing their journeys. The lessons learned from this summer will continue to guide participants long after SYEP ends, shaping both their futures and the future of their community.