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For the past two years, CYLA Board Members and Event Co-Chairs, Dwight Caines and Erik Feig, have been instrumental in driving the success of �鶹��Ƶ LA’s largest annual fundraiser, Spring Break. Their leadership, dedication, and passion have not only helped Spring Break grow exponentially but also elevated its impact. From securing incredible talents like John Legend and Leon Bridges to shaping the vision that brings this event to life, their contributions have been nothing short of inspiring. Recently, this dynamic duo reflected on what fuels their continued commitment to �鶹��Ƶ and the students we serve.��

What inspired you to support �鶹��Ƶ Los Angeles?��

Dwight: I am a product of the public school system and when I was young, I benefitted personally from mentorship programs that sought to allow me to achieve my full potential. There are many distractions that can influence a student’s path, and CYLA seeks to enable success for the students who are most at risk of succumbing to those distractions.��

Erik: I am a first generation American, first to attend college in my extended family, and a product of public schools. I know firsthand the enormous benefit of education and the power of someone becoming a mentor to you, whether it is by firsthand help or even by modeling a different kind of life. I loved how hands on and “non-theoretical” �鶹��Ƶ was and is for its community.��

Is there a moment or experience with CYLA that has stood out to you?��

Dwight: I had great experiences participating in service days with CYLA where we did beautification projects at schools, but it wasn’t until I did a school visit with AmeriCorps Members (ACMs) at Los Angeles High School that I got a sense of the daily impact that the ACMs make and the challenges they face. I was impressed with the serious commitment the ACMs have made to the students they serve at such a pivotal time in their own lives.��

Erik: My first experience with �鶹��Ƶ was through a service day but the impression that made me want to get involved with the organization was seeing the ease and familiarity of the AmeriCorps members with their students and teachers — they were walking the walk, doing the talk, and it was clear that they were deeply embedded and needed.�� �鶹��Ƶ performs and yet there is nothing performative about them.��

What impact do you hope to make through your support?��

Dwight: My biggest hope is to be a connector and evangelist for the work that �鶹��Ƶ LA is doing. That might take the form of me giving time, money or opening my “rolodex” on behalf of building additional community support for �鶹��Ƶ.����

Erik: I view my role with �鶹��Ƶ as tactical and strategic but if I can do one thing from my involvement, I would want it to be an amplification of what they do for others. They do such great work, and they do not need my help with that, but I hope that I can be helpful in making sure others know what they do.��

Why do you believe in the power of young people and education?��

Dwight: I’ve always valued mentorship and believe that “if you see it, you can be it.” I want young people to see others who look like themselves that have achieved success so that they can be inspired to work hard and strive for what they want.�� Young people will inherit all that we leave behind and it’s important to ensure they have the tools to thrive.��

Erik: Every strata of our society is wildly symbiotic, and young people coming up through our schools have the power and ability to shape our culture through what they consume and what they make. They teach us older people new ways of doing things as much as our expertise can help guide them on how to achieve their goals and dreams.�� The key thing is to remember that every great achievement — whatever its category — was once just an idea hatched by a normal human being and the only difference between it remaining a dream and becoming a reality are the tools, belief and eco system.��

What would you say to someone considering getting involved with CYLA?��

Dwight: CYLA is an opportunity to make a real impact in the lives of young people, both the students that CYLA serves and the AmeriCorps mentors who have decided to commit to a year of service.������

Erik: All too often we look at something as too big to tackle, but �鶹��Ƶ has my favorite approach to seemingly big piles of problems: it breaks it down into small and achievable tasks and suddenly by doing one thing, and mentoring one class for one year, and then one school, and then one district for very many years, giant things will have been accomplished for generations.��

We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated event Co-Chairs, Dwight & Erik, for their unwavering support for our organization, our students and the AmeriCorps members who are helping change the world. To get involved or get your tickets for , visit our website .��