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My name is Jorge Lucio.
I was born in 1988
in Tangancicuaro, Michoacán, México.
I'm the oldest of my brothers.
I was brought to Salinas when I was seven months old,
for a brighter future and more opportunities.
(indistinct conversation)
(mariachi music on radio)
JORGE: When I first dropped out of school
I was 17 years old.
My parents had bought the American dream house.
We were paying over $3,000 monthly for the house.
Our parents just told us
to drop out and just work and stop wasting time.
We didn't have the support to stay in school.
Me and my brother decided to drop out.
My mom still works in the fields.
My path was similar because I didn't really have a future.
It was just the same routine, day-by-day,
working in the fields.
Rancho Cielo is for youth that never got a GED
or a high school diploma.
(bell rings)
TEACHER: I can keep track of all these cool ideas.
You guys are cooks, and you like new recipes.
JORGE: There are different programs: Silver Star, Culinary,
and us, Youth Build.
They divided us into two groups:
the first group who would start the first week in the classroom,
and the other program would start the first week
on construction, then we would swap.
The whole Youth Build program, we started building
transitional housing, from the foundation to the roof.
They also offer us a national recognized
pre-apprentice certificate.
(indistinct conversation)
Coming back to school,
getting involved in all these activities,
helped me out in staying focused,
getting the one-on-one attention that I needed.
Going back to school I thought it was difficult
because I had bills to pay.
I would have to go to work thinning lettuce and weeding
when I don't go to school.
I think my parents have changed their ideas about education,
since I'm going to be the first one to graduate in my family.
That day when I cross... cross the stage,
I think I'll feel more motivated than ever,
proud of myself,
honored that I'm doing something about myself.
I hope my younger brothers take bigger steps than mine.
I've been giving them advice
on how hard it is to work in the fields,
and to stay in school.