Educators received a dose of motivation on Wednesday from John Alston, an internationally known performance strategist, at the ninth annual Interagency Youth Conference called “Build on Youth.”

Hosted by the Local Coordinating Committee and Interagency Steering Committee, the conference allowed those interested in touching youths’ lives to get tips on becoming effective mentors.

Karina Corona, a social services worker, was eager to attend the workshops offered.

“I hope I will gain more knowledge that will help me with the youth I work with,” she said.

SERGIO ESTRADA PHOTO. Performance strategist
John Alston talks during the ninth annual
Interagency Youth Conference on Wednesday
at the county Department of Social Services’
CalWORKs Training Center in El Centro. The
theme was “Build on Youth.”


“Your job is to influence the way they (youths) do things,” he said. “Every outcome is the result of a perfectly designed system for achieving that outcome … It is your job to change the system.”

All in attendance jotted down notes as Alston listed ways to aid students by becoming influential leaders to the young people.

“Telling is not the same as teaching. You have to be a good student,” Alston said. “Nobody will do for you what you won’t do for yourself.”

Known for his inspiring speeches, many involved in the event specifically asked for Alston as the guest speaker after witnessing his talent when he appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s television show.

“He was different from other motivational speakers. He was awesome,” Diana Ruvalcaba, a case manager for the Family and Community Together Center of the El Centro Elementary School District, said. “He used humor and he made you feel like he was talking to you rather than at you. He was great.”

About 120 people attended the event. Social service workers, instructors, law officials and many more were at the morning conference hoping to gain insight and a new perspective when dealing with youths.

Moved by Alston’s advice, “you must be what you want to see,” Ruvalcaba plans to implement the advice with her clients.

The conference was sponsored by the Imperial County Office of Education-Student Well-Being and Family Resources office and the Workforce Investment Board-youth council. The event received donations from companies such as Bear Essentials, Brown Bag Cookies, Sizzler, Quizno’s and Curves.

Nine workshops were offered throughout the day at the county Department of Social Services CalWORKs training center, ranging from topics such as risky behaviors and STDs, youth jobs and job services in Imperial County to building assets in youth.

Those who attended the conference were eager to participate in the activities after Alston pumped them up with his powerful speech.

“My goal here today was to move people in a way to make them believe that they count and they can make a difference, and they do.” Alston said.