2021 Youth Recognitions

On November 15, 2021, TM youth, their families and their mentors came together to celebrate the 1,300 people youth helped throughout the year. Youth were recognized for their contributions to their community of East Palo Alto.

Page Sections:

• Photos and Videos of Guests

• Opening Remarks from Founder CEO Paul Thiebaut III

• What TM Youth said makes TM Different

• Quotes from the Evening

• TM Youth Partners

This year, Thiebaut Method youth helped 1,300 people through the social good project (SGP) program. Youth in grades 4-8 went out into their community of East Palo Alto and on average helped more than 100 people each. They partnered with more than 150 people and organizations and helped others in the following areas:

1. Skateboarding

2. Football

3. Soccer

4. Archery

5. Community relations with the police

6. Hunger

7. Homelessness

8. Art

9. Environment

10. Animal rescue

11. Hospitalized children

12. Preschoolers

13. Engineering

14. Video game design

15. Digital literacy

16. Community beautification through painting fences and murals

17. Business websites for parents

18. Social emotional support

TM youth didn’t work alone, though. They were guided by myself and our executive director Mariamne Caballero Borden in designing and working on their social good projects every week. They worked with mentors who taught them technical skills related to the needs they addressed and provided career inspiration. They asked people and businesses for donations to acquire the materials needed to help others. They created presentations and marketing materials to communicate how they were helping others.

Our youth had more help still. Their parents, often behind the scenes, brought their children to TM’s pink house every week, brought them to businesses to ask for donations, and supported them at their events. Our youth had a family who supported them in helping others.

That’s why we are here tonight. To celebrate the hard work TM youth and their supporters did to help 1,300 people this year. That’s why this is a pizza party! Our youth love pizza, so our youth get pizza!

I am also honored to introduce our newest employees, Ulises Cisneros and Kassandra Rodriguez Plambeck. They joined our team to help Thiebaut Method increase its impact next year. Our goal is to empower 500 youth in East Palo Alto to help 5,000 people in 2022! With our new team members, I won’t be surprised if TM youth help 10,000 people next year!

After Ulises and Kassandra introduce themselves, we are going to hear from the one and only: TM youth! They will tell us who they helped this year and what they think is special about being a TM youth.

Finally, I want to thank the Pacific Art League for letting us use their beautiful art gallery to have our pizza party and our board of directors for donating the pizzas and drinks. Thank you everyone for coming tonight and I can’t wait to break pizza with you!

"Thiebaut Method lets me pursue my dreams. " -4th grader Jeffren

"Thiebaut Method helps kids figure out what they want to be when they grow up." -5th grader Citlaly

"Thiebaut Method let's us choose what to do and who to help." -7th grader Nathaly

"Thiebaut Method let's us do what we love." -6th grader Leo

"Thiebaut Method let's us choose who to help based on our intrinsic motivations." -8th grader Kevin

"It is an inspiration to see an 8 year old boy take something deep inside his heart, something that really motivated him and do something for other people that benefited the whole community. To see him give from the heart. To see him put together a whole program and work so hard was an amazing experience for me. That’s why I’m so invested in Thiebaut Method." -Jeff Liu, EPA Police Commander

"My husband and I were very excited to see how she has become a leader with the help of Thiebaut Method. We are really proud of her and grateful to Thiebaut Method." - Margarita Vera (Dana's mom)

PEOPLE

ORGANIZATIONS