Before he found NVFS' Intervention, Prevention and Education (IPE) program, he was headed in a direction he didn't want to go.
"I was a person who didn't care about school. I was thinking about negative things, hanging around with negative people," he reflects. "My behavior was bad. It was horrible. I was skipping, I wasn't listening. I was a very mad person — I would get angry, I would try to fight anybody."
The IPE program at NVFS is designed for moments exactly like this one. It serves youth and their families at a moment of crisis, with the goal of moving them toward stability, empowerment, and the support they need to thrive. Youth counselors in the program are trained to understand the dynamics of peer pressure, gangs, and the environments young people navigate — and they meet teens where they are, not where adults wish they were.
For this young man, two staff members made all the difference. One played cards with him, talked openly about daily life, and offered perspective that helped him see his options more clearly. Another — Alberto — became something closer to a trusted friend and mentor.
"Alberto is like a therapist. The skills I learned from Alberto are my breathing technique and my critical thinking — and he showed me I have to put myself first. He came like a friend, like a family member, actually."
The shift was gradual, then undeniable. Attendance improved. Behavior changed. Goals came into focus.
"If I didn't sit down and talk, I don't know — I think I would still be skipping, still doing bad. But I improved, and I'm going to graduate on time."
He will be a 2026 graduate. He has enrolled at NOVA, pursuing automotive technology — because he loves cars, and that's one of his goals. His cohort member has already earned a diploma and signed up for courses too.
"This is a 10 out of 10 program," he says, "because you actually sit down with somebody that you can actually trust."
The Molina family's story reflects the power of early intervention, consistent mentorship, and a program that believes in young people — even before they believe in themselves.
NVFS' IPE program serves youth and families across Northern Virginia. Support NVFS and help more young people find their way forward.
