My name is Paris Albright II, and I’ve been part of the after‑school and summer camp programs at the Oak Park Community Center since I was six years old. This place has been like a second home to me. It’s where I grew up, where I met friends who feel like family, and where I learned what it means to be part of a community.

I always looked forward to joining the Young Leaders of Tomorrow program, and later Prime Time Teen, because I knew they would help me grow—not just as a student, but as a person. These programs pushed me to believe in myself in ways I never expected. They helped me build confidence, find my voice, and dream bigger.

Completing Prime Time Teen changed my life. It taught me how to manage money, how to make responsible choices, and how to plan for my future. I opened my first bank account, and with my stipend, I started my own clothing business—something I never thought I’d be brave enough to do at my age. That business is my first step toward saving for college and building a future I can be proud of.

I’m asking you to hear my words not just as a student, but as someone whose life has been shaped by these programs. I truly could not have done any of this without the incredible City of Sacramento staff who guide us, believe in us, and show us that we matter.

These programs are more than activities—they’re lifelines, opportunities, and safe spaces where kids like me learn who we are and who we can be. I hope you’ll keep them alive for the generations of young people coming after me.

Thank you for listening.