PALMDALE LASD VIDA PROGRAM

Over the weekend VIDA was in full affect teaching our current class, Class 42, teamwork, marching, leadership and physical training.

VIDA Class 42, was also given a lecture by Palmdale Station Deputy De La Rosa. Deputy De La Rosa talked to the youth about his upbringing. He told them that he had grown up in a similar situation as them. He stated, that at a young age he always remembered seeing officers around in the area he lived and people being on the wrong side of the law. Knowing that there had to be more to life, he worked hard to turn his situation around. He earned an athletic scholarship to Paraclete High School and started hanging around positive role models and better friends. At that point, he knew he wanted to be a role model to other kids that found themselves in the same situation he had grown up in. So he become a Deputy Sheriff.

Now, Deputy De La Rosa is not only a Deputy Sheriff, but he has been named Deputy of the Year for 2020 and is living proof that with hard work and determination you can turn any negative situation into a positive one.

The Los Angeles County Vital Intervention and Directional Alternatives Program (VIDA) is a 16 week program for non-violent, at risk youth between the ages of 11 and 17 1/2. This program focuses on increasing academic achievement, improving their family relationships, developing positive social behaviors and showing them the possibilities of a better future than the path they are currently on.

This program includes regular visits with staff members, guest speakers, a Saturday component and weekly sessions with the youth and their parent(s) to facilitate better communication and understanding.

If you, or someone you know, can benefit from the VIDA program, Palmdale Station will be starting to take signups again in October. Our next class, Class 44, will be starting sometime in February 2022.