"What Is Your Life's Blueprint?" | MLK Day Message From Our Board Chair

To our supporters and community members:

Project Legacy attempts to embody the message that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave students in Philadelphia on October 26, 1967 when he asked "What is your life's blueprint?"

It starts with a ‘deep belief in your own dignity, your worth, and your own somebodiness’. At Project Legacy, youth are not only provided with what they need to succeed in education and career planning (the second part of Dr. King's blueprint), but Project Legacy also aims to provide the tools and connections needed to address traumas, both to maintain and expand that flame of dignity and self worth.

As the beginning of the year does for many others, for the Board of Directors at Project Legacy, this year begins with retrospection of the reasons for committing to being a part of an organization that aims to break the cycle of generational trauma for youth and young adults. It's also an opportunity to model growth in who we serve by aiming to apply the skills we bring to the table in new directions, and make that table accessible to others so that we can grow together.

I’m an immigrant, born in Nicaragua, who grew up in the U.S. in a non-English speaking household, raised by parents and my sisters who left their country due to political turmoil and war. To me, I didn’t make it without a circle of support consisting of family, neighbors, teachers, and other positive adults, supports that are still important to me to this day.

I was recently elected as the new Chair of the Board at Project Legacy, beginning in 2022 after serving in other roles for Project Legacy since 2017, including as clinical supervisor to a Masters-level intern. As a clinical social worker in the state of Minnesota, I’m privileged to have worked with youth in Central America, and with patients and families in an emergency/crisis setting. As supervisor for a national helpline, I’ve heard stories from many families on the way the pandemic has exacerbated stress, anxiety, and isolation.

All of these experiences continue to provide a “why” for the work I do.

The board and staff of Project Legacy recognize the power in connection and community, especially for the youth we serve. Today is a day that asks us not only to reflect on the morals we hold for ourselves, our families, and society, but also to engage in service of the future we hope our grandkids see one day. As part of the Project Legacy community, your support helps to provide hope and opportunities to youth and young adults seeking access and inclusion in that same future, and for that we thank you and wish you all a meaningful day as we honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Con amor,

Cesar Bravo Wolfe, MSSW, LICSW
Board Chair