Adolfo Leyva, now a Senior Recycling Supervisor at Fresno EOC Local Conservation Corps (LCC), is a great example of how the program is helping people, changing lives. His story shows how the opportunities provided by Fresno EOC can help someone overcome challenges and become a leader in their community.
Adolfo’s journey started in 2007 when he graduated from the School of Unlimited Learning (SOUL). After spending years in and out of jobs and facing personal struggles, Leyva’s dedication led him to volunteer at a local organization. His hard work was noticed by a mentor who reconnected him with LCC, and soon after, he was offered a job.
“One thing I always share with my corpsmembers is that someone is always watching you. I didn’t have to ask for a job; I was offered a position,” Leyva says. “Work hard, perform well. I used the same work ethic I learned from LCC in my volunteering, and the right person noticed.”
For over eight years, Leyva has been a key part of LCC, recently being promoted to Senior Recycling Supervisor in 2023. In his role, he now gives back to the community that once helped him.
“Working here means giving back to my community and giving back what I was taught by the LCC staff during my time as a corpsmember,” Leyva shares. “I had no work ethic, no education, and I didn’t even know how to read before joining LCC. But going through the program taught me those things.”
What drives Adolfo is his commitment to making a difference in the lives of the youth and young adults who, like him, are working to improve their education and career paths. He serves as a mentor, guiding the next generation of corpsmembers with the lessons he learned through the programs.
Jasmin Vasquez, a current corpsmember, says Adolfo has played a big role in her own journey at LCC. “This has been a great experience. Adolfo is positive, and knowing that he was able to turn his life around not only motivates me but also the others around me,” Vasquez says. “Every day, he always has something motivational to tell us, and the fact that he works alongside us makes it feel more special.”
Jasmin, who aged out of her last educational program, didn’t give up on her goals. She joined YouthBuild Charter High School, received her diploma, and is now working in the Recycling Department to gain experience that will help her start her career after completing the program.
The connection Adolfo has with the corpsmembers is strong. He leads not as a boss but as a role model, showing the values that LCC strives to instill in everyone who comes through its program.
Adolfo Leyva’s story is a powerful reminder of how LCC’s motto Training Tomorrow’s Leaders. Today! —comes to life in the community. By changing his own life, Adolfo is now helping others change theirs, showing that the impact of Fresno EOC’s programs goes far beyond individual success.