MassLive recently asked readers to identify people they consider Hispanic and Latino leaders in Massachusetts, working to make a difference across the state.
Profiles of these leaders will be published over the course of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. These are people readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Angelica Castro, the director of outreach and teens for the YMCA of Greater Springfield. Photo courtesy of Angelica Castro.Angelica Castro
Angelica Castro
Age: 37
Community: Springfield
Her story: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Angelica Castro — a mom of two teenage daughters — reflected and decided to make a career change to become more hands-on in nurturing and supporting teenagers in Springfield.
As director of outreach and teens for the YMCA of Greater Springfield at the North End Youth Center, Castro runs a program called Y-AIM for kids aged 13 to 19 in partnership with Springfield Public Schools.
“This program gears around college readiness, mentorship, whether it’s introducing our teens to job skills, homework help, really just all around mentorship in any avenue that our teens within the community may need,” Castro said.
Castro added during the day she visits Springfield schools to assist in bridging gaps between students, faculty, teachers and counselors and providing extra support. In the afternoons, she then runs an afterschool program giving teens activities to do and providing them with snacks and meals.
Castro said part of the goal of the program is to introduce teens to new interests and ideas while also readying them for the next stage of life after middle and high school whether they’re bound for the workforce, a college education or military service.
In working with teens, Castro said at first there’s “always a little pushback” to rules and requirements asked of them, but with time as she develops a better understanding for who they are and their aspirations that “that wall comes downs and their personalities flourish.”
One thing Castro has noticed among the teens she works with is many have anxiety in the wake of the pandemic when they were largely isolated from others.
“We help them increase their social skills again and just to navigate the world as comfortable as possible,” she said.
Prior to the pandemic, Castro worked for over 15 years in retail as a makeup artist for the company Chanel. She said while she loved the work she did, having asthma pulled her away from the workforce as the virus circulated.
That time away allowed Castro to rethink her priorities in life, and when an opportunity opened up at the YMCA of Greater Springfield she decided to make a change to give back and make a positive impact for teens like her own daughters. Castro is now heading toward her third year on the job.
In her words: “If you’re able to impact one life positively, you’ve done your job.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
