Today is Just Today – Tomorrow Will Be Better

Miguel’s STORY

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When you meet Miguel Guerrero, the first thing you notice is the big smile and charm of this 21-year-old. It’s almost hard to believe that Miguel had to work to build confidence and find his own voice.

“There were times I felt stuck when I was younger,” says Miguel. “I’m really proud that I was able to get more confident. I’m my own person now, and the program brought me closer to my parents and other people I hold dear.”

Born in Boston, Miguel’s family is from the Dominican Republic. Miguel was enrolled in classes to learn English in school. At seven, Miguel was shy when first meeting people—that’s when he joined Friends of the Children – Boston. His long-term, professional mentors—called his Friends—took him to try new things, helped him with school, and worked with him on building confidence. When Miguel was 12, he was paired with his second Friend, Jesse.

“I didn’t know it back then, but he would become one of the most important people in my life. Jesse cares about me in ways that not many people in my life do,” shares Miguel.

I’m my own person now, and the program brought me closer to my parents and other people I hold dear.

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“I was bowled over by Miguel’s big heart and how genuinely caring and sweet he was,” remembers Jesse, who is now Director of Program and Evaluation at Friends – Boston. “He was so curious and always wanted to learn and tinker, and he wanted more independence. Miguel is an explorer and someone who wants to understand how things work.”

Together, Jesse and Miguel joined a Boston program where they could learn about bike safety, practice mechanical skills, and build a bike that Miguel could keep. But after the bike was built, Miguel’s mother wouldn’t let him ride to school. She had concerns about violence in the neighborhood and the safety of
bike riding.

Jesse and Miguel worked on a presentation together to advocate for Miguel. They focused on mitigating the risks he faced: Miguel would always wear a helmet, he’d map out where he was going to ride, and he’d activate Find My Phone. When Miguel’s mother agreed to let him ride more, it opened up Miguel’s world.

“I’m presenting this PowerPoint, trying to be so serious, and my mom is crying and smiling at the same time. And my dad is just laughing,” says Miguel. “But they were both there, and they were listening.”

This life change not only expanded Miguel’s radius physically, but also improved his self-confidence. When Miguel was 14 years old, he and Jesse joined the Rodman Ride for Kids, a 25-mile charity ride. They’ve participated in the ride several times now with a few other Friends and youth from the program.

After graduating high school, Miguel enrolled in Franklin Cummings Tech in Boston, where he continued his love for building. He concentrated on auto mechanics, and now Miguel is working in the auto industry—but on the other side of the steering wheel. After attaining his commercial driver’s license, he’s transporting cars across the country.

“I never thought I’d make it this far…having my own commercial driver’s license,” says Miguel. “And now I’m even helping train someone else on the job.”

Miguel continues: “I wish I could tell my younger self, ‘be patient and everything will come to you.’ Just the other day, I was upset about something, and I took a deep breath and said to myself: ‘Today is just today, and tomorrow will be better.’”