C.J., or Charles Valdez Jr. is a young man on a mission.
Valdez is a senior at the Boston Latin School, and has excelled in math and science. He will study engineering at Northeastern University.
After that, he wants to take those skills to help solve some of the world’s problems.
“I want to try to make things better. This is our world! So, who else is going to do it, you know?” said Valdez.
C.J. grew up in the Philippines, and witnessed dire poverty, including homeless children without food or clothes.
“Just growing up, and just seeing all the things that I saw, you now the naked kids, and the hungry, starving kids, I don’t want them to have that,” said Valdez.
C.J. says he’ll never forget that extreme poverty, and will use his engineering knowledge to help the Philippines rebuild, with better electric service, and more homeless shelters, which they’re lacking.
Here in Boston, he’s already made his mark through a leadership teem program at the Charlestown YMCA.
C.J. has donated his time and energy to several causes, including volunteering at the Pine Street Inn.
“C.J. really stepped up and became a leader when he joined the club and he’s been able to assert himself,” said Executive Director at the Charlestown YMCA, Steve Telesmanick.
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