Why Val(YOU)?

As a young girl I was often lost within an identity I never really belonged to. Not quite fitting in with the people around me because I was a bit darker or my family roots were grounded in different soil. It was difficult to navigate. As I grew older I realized that not only did I not belong or relate to the people around me but the people I should have related to were just as distant because my native tongue was never learned or spoken in my home. Having Mexican roots and not speaking Spanish was definitely frowned upon.

As a daughter and middle child with 2 older sisters and one younger brother, it was easy to get a little lost in my feelings and regress into my corner. As I grew older, in middle school, I was shamed for being who I was. I always had the figure of a woman and was considered to be a "big girl" and this created some very dark moments for me. Always feeling like I wasn't pretty enough, thin enough, good enough, my self-esteem was at an ultimate low.

My experiences as a child followed me into my young adult life in and out of many different relationships personal and professional. I lost the ability to truly Val(YOU) who I was and felt like my worth was lost. I fought many battles within my own head and allowed others to take advantage of who I am and what I have to offer.

As I started to raise a family of my own, I learned my true Val(YOU) was rare and priceless. As I started to mold these young boys into young men, I saw the importance of teaching them to Val(YOU) everything they have to offer and help them understand their true potential great or small. Far too often our youth lose the ability to cherish their talents and let their light shine.

Val(YOU) is dedicated to helping these young boys and girls find their light inside and help them mold who they are destined to grow into. We are focused on connecting them with others who can help them love who they are entirely. We want them to know that they are wonderful in their own entity and that no one person can take their Val(YOU) from them!

It is the mission of Val(YOU) to build these young boys and girls up from within by giving them the tools and experiences to create positive self-esteem and self-confidence to know their worth and Val(YOU) is enough and in return they will love the skin they are in and continue to shine.

~ Gail Vargas Clark