My path out of poverty| Lashon Amado | TEDxPennsylvaniaAvenue

[@rikkichadwick3548]

I feel him when you have no privileges, coming from a place like that you gotta make your way out of poverty yourself! He made it!!! Proud of you bro .

[@shanicespeaks5827]

I'm extremely proud of you Lashon! Great TedTalks.

[@manictiger]

2:41 I can relate. I grew up in group homes. Nothing makes a sociopath like the orphan/group home/foster family system. You can't expect kindness to come from people that were never around it. That cold, clinical approach to "teaching" and "raising" kids... It's extremely dangerous. Violent crime would drop like a brick if we started taking care of kids better.

[@yzpz9002]

Great Job Leshon!!!

[@wisepersonsay3142]

The moral of story is he woke up to himself that he had to change. He couldn't affect his family, he said. Self-determination is the hardest, but the most necessary.

[@GlobalBizlife]

Self determination is key to taking the action needed to bring about that change.

[@Grim528]

I’d love to shake his hand. He’s an inspiration.

[@ENLIGHTENMENTING]

It is in fact an overwhelming exposition about the relationship between education and poverty. Poverty is not the excuse and the guilty of failure in society, but is injustice: when people is not treated with justice, you're instilling hate in his brain. This kind of programs are necessary so that eveyone can find his own potentialities and feel life worth of living: finding work attractive and finding reading attractive too. They are like remedies and heal the hurts that a bad environment did him. Thanks Lashon, you're an example.

[@Tigersox24]

This is so inspiring to me. Right now I’m 21, being housed by a local youth program after becoming homeless. I was born into poverty, thought I found my escape when at 19 I finally left my abusive home and moved in with my partner and his family. After circumstances out of my control led me to having to leave, I was lucky enough to find this program (360Youth) which housed me in a hotel until recently a spot opened up in their subsidized apartment complex. I’m so grateful every day that I was given this opportunity, I’m able to save up money and learn life skills that I know will take me far. Although I’m not making much money at my full time job, and my living situation is less than ideal, if I didn’t have this program and this opportunity I’d be in a shelter right now, or worse, on the streets. Videos like this give me hope that I really can dig myself out of this way of living that I’ve known my whole life and create something better for myself. I plan on going back to college. Getting my first apartment. Finally living the way that I’ve always deserved to. Although many systems have failed me, I plan to do absolutely everything in my power to seize the opportunity I have in front of me. And I know, one day, it’s all going to pay off. Thank you for your inspiring words.

[@carynjones3926]

Awesome job, Lashon! I hope your message is heard by policy changers as well as the youth who can learn from your life experience.

[@sunshineinthecityproductio8181]

Shon, this is amazing. You did a great job advocating for young people in low income communities. I look forward to seeing what you do in the future!

[@sonofjesus1464]

Great video and I totally understand him. I am in poverty and I know I do not belong in it. But, I am learning from it and I have a strong mind so that I will not confirm to the environment. I am an engineer and there is a seat in college waiting for me to sit on it. I know I have a job waiting for me, the job I want. I can see me sitting in from of a computer and getting up to complete knew projects. I can see me forming math formulas especially sequences and electrical formulas from physics. I can see a lot of math and geometric shapes for me. I am ready and I am ready to ball.

[@elviaknoll4705]

good for you. keep praying and God will open doors.

[@mickymouse2445]

I'm rooting for you!

[@blackessence6390]

Yes go after it...

[@mase778]

Just the fact that you were here listening to this says alot about you... im in the same boat only difference is im a graduate with a whole Law and psychology degree (2012) I learned that education alone doesnt get you there it takes drive and giving your all when you come from poverty. Keep the faith keep pushing

[@vijaynarayanan7816]

Good luck brother

[@Mosfet510]

Great video! He is a great example of what's possible when you meet the right kind of people. Youth Build sounds like a great program and makes me wonder how many lives it has saved.

[@mmarlkraig30]

Great job, LaShon. You set a great example for the youth in Boston

[@fitwitbrittbritt]

Me and my siblings, nieces and nephews broke the cycle of poverty. WHOOP WHOOP!!! MAMA I MADE IT

[@indigochild4664]

Congrats bro, we need more positive young brothers like you, to uplift the communities in the inner cities! Congrats on your college education and getting into grad school!

[@GatorProductions]

Interesting story, awesome example of superation

[@selineey]

I'm a middle school teacher and I somewhat agree with you, Lashon. There are some teachers who don't care. But there are many who do. And just like any human being, we do get frustrated at times with problem students. I love the program that you mentioned and am so happy that you are in a much better place. However, another component to the degradation of society is not just at fault with the justice system and the school system. Both cannot take all the blame. The attitudes of ALL communities, of society in general, needs to change. Lack of discipline from parents and fright from retribution for discipline in schools is causing teens to grow up with entitled attitude problems. We are talking about a total lack of respect for the education system and for educators in general. This was caused by the breakdown of the "family" unit, so to say. Morals and values are not being taught at home in many poverty cases. Morals and values are being taught by teenage peers who don't know any better. It's sad really.

[@JELAJAHSEMESTA-u2h]

Selin Sanchez we can share the very problems of our education nowadays

[@SUpersaiyajinjerkbag]

teaching is not a real job. It's about time that clasroom teachers like yourself own up to this; instead of perpetrating the usual misconceptions about formal education.

[@GlobalBizlife]

Great insights

[@loli_cvnt5622]

Oh you can absolutely blame a lot on the educational system. Be it, the way teachers don't treat everyone the same, the insanely overfilled classes or even the class divide. You can talk about equal chances for all social classes all you want, you step foot in any classrom and you'll see that's simply not a thing that exists.

[@joserenato3245]

Congratulations. Excellent example.

[@michaelestrada8262]

Similar Story. Congratulations on your success in education and the barriers to escape poverty that you overcame. Keep paying it forward, especially with your most valuable commodity, your experience. Much love and good luck on all future endeavors.

[@adityadeva1186]

Extraordinary transformation... Keep it up friend

[@k0daygo763]

I have a similar dream.. for young men & women to have a chance at a better life.

[@SentientOrganism]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@GlobalBizlife]

Time to implement Universal Basic Income and help support the youth of today. Give them more choices and chances to make decisions that will grow the economy in the future. Trials have proven it works so implement it as soon as possible!

[@floridaalarcon5199]

Bravo Excellent!!!

[@keithtaylor3347]

Too many people talk about how OTHERS should help those in need: very few address the issue of those in need doing something to help themselves. I was on the streets from age 16 to 25, back in the late nineteen-sixties to mid-seventies, after having dropped out of high school with a grade 10 certificate. Nobody wanted to employ me, so I left the city and went into rural areas, where I offered to do jobs for people who didn't feel like doing the work for themselves. All I asked was to be fed: no money, nothing else. Many of the people for whom I worked gave me far more than I asked for, because I did the very best job I could. I spent a lot of time in public libraries, reading books on how to do things I knew little, or nothing, about. If someone asked me to do something of which I had no knowledge, I'd read up on it and then try it out. Most times I did a better than fair job and the people recommended me to friends and family. I'm not going to pretend that it was easy, because it wasn't: with no place to sleep at night, I had to improvise, often spending the night in culverts under the roads or huddling in stout trees outside of town. Eventually I worked in a hospital as an orderly: below the rank of the cleaners, but my willingness to learn caught the attention of the senior doctor - and he set about teaching me various practices and techniques, some of which even senior sisters are not permitted to do. He refused to perform minor surgeries with anyone else but me, because I intuitively knew what he needed me to do, without him having to utter a word or make any silent gestures. In the end I was the assistant of choice for most of the doctors in the hospital. It was through this attitude of wanting to know as much as my brain could understand that made me adept at working with a variety of materials, from steel to wood and plastics; repairing internal combustion engines; fixing computers; animal training and husbandry; zoology, with the emphasis on animal behaviour and herpetology ... fields so varied and diverse that I have been called variously a "walking encyclopedia" and, more disparagingly, a "know-it-all". I discovered that the only thing standing in my way is ME: it has NOTHING to do with other people!

[@GlobalBizlife]

Very inspiring story of personal triumph. Just amazing

[@attorneymom35]

Awesome. U don't know what you don't know.

[@yk6187]

I grew up in poverty. Now I am a doctor. Pray

[@GlobalBizlife]

Congratulations

[@roeg48]

Thank you young man for sharing! I wish you continued success!

[@MaryamAli-vd1xv]

Beautiful Thanks so much. Beautiful

[@jhondelv8891]

Good job brother.

[@davidbrinkhurst5359]

Awesome Lashon! proud of you ;-)

[@jarenbaluyot7734]

As an individual who was raised in a safe home by loving parents, I have had many privileges throughout my life. Being conscious of this fact, I have been looking for ways to be an ally towards oppressed groups of individuals who do not have access to the same opportunities and resources as myself. Even the simple act of being able to walk a dog without fear of being shot or jumped is a privilege that many Americans overlook. I'm glad to know that there are numerous ways for individuals to break free from poverty. Mr. Amado did a fantastic job of explaining his simple formula and how all Americans can work to support communities of poverty. I believe it's important to point out that supporting youth development programs and policies that improve community structure (in communities of poverty) have noticeable impacts on America as a whole. With better education, resources, and opportunities, communities of poverty can experience decreased crime, drug abuse, violence, and unemployment. I think that working as a nation to increase the well-being of all individuals involved is a key component in changing intricate problems such as poverty. "A rising tide lifts all boats."

[@mimirodriguez8817]

Awesome! Great job mrAmado

[@johnkeithrobinson7399]

i like that keep up the good work

[@nick5518]

going to university doesn't mean that he is out of poverty.

[@mrc2432]

Thanks for making this point. People believed that education was the way OUT of poverty. Now we have poor people with degrees and student loans. Still poor. They forgot to mention that personal connections, good habits, a winning personality and financial prudence are all essential.

[@yewmunwong642]

Nick I can't agree more.

[@yummyyummyricecakes9459]

Yup.

[@GuestYouTubeUser]

But it means he has an opportunity to get a degree that he can later use on a higher paying job application.

[@larry7124]

unfortunately if your a person of color and male it;s dose not guarantee a way out but it doesn't mean it can't and it's a start. A promise of hard work and a successful life is not just for white for folks, it not what Dr. KING and many others died for. so give the guy credit he could have done a lot worse.

[@LuisVasDeCamoes]

I actually had to study by candle light and walk 60km every day with a hole in my shoe to go to highschool. Many times I had nothing to eat and even thought I was never homeless, I remember landlords insulation my mom, because she was late to pay the rent. 5 years ago I emigrated to a country where education is free. I'm 10 years behind my colleagues, but last month I graduated and I am an now engineer. My colleagues don't understand why am I so serious, even when I explain. The people with whom I grew don't recognize me because I am not the helpless person that they knew. I searched for this clip because I don't really have a role model to follow in my path of economical growth.

[@2144rahul]

I am Indian but you are real rero

[@BaldheadNailtech]

Beautiful 👏🏾

[@scottcox9108]

a sense of belonging

[@keenafromphilly]

The program also provides summer job placement for teens as well

[@l3st4rins98]

40 students in one class. One book for three students. Bruh... I'm Indonesian and that's my school back then. My school was the top 2 in the whole city, so... the others were maybe even worse. But at least now Indonesian education system improve alot. Students don't need to pay anymore for basic education (although it still don't cover other stuff like books or school uniform)

[@GlobalBizlife]

See my comments.

[@circlesinthenight3141]

Education is key

[@humzahhassan4521]

I played Aau with a few kids from poverty and they had more work ethic than all of us. They used sports as escape and a potential way to escape poverty but they also had good grades because they were just trying to leave poverty sports or not and they didn’t want to break the law. Ow and btw if your poor u get a lot more government subsidies to go the school. Case in point all of my teammates from the hood now make more money than me and none of them made it to the league or played college ball.

[@elviaknoll4705]

this is great!

[@raquelalmeida5675]

Good speaker

[@enriquerobinson9286]

Sometimes going to a university, keep someone in poverty, because of peoples' can't pay back there students loans, students loans go in default, and the situation is even worse, because you went to college.

[@acajudi100]

Enrique Robinson Their

[@acajudi100]

Enrique Robinson Bloody Chicago. Murders in Chicago.

[@3zan6bel9]

inspirational... at least +

[@youngeytha2436]

How can I play a position to make this happen in Chicago and Iowa

[@percyastronautstatus.8780]

Chicago?? Forget it

[@justanotherarmy8607]

Just saw parasite and it got me thinking wtf am I gonna do with my life

[@ulisesmejia8502]

True! I thought just the same thing. Here we are trying to think different.

[@MaryamAli-vd1xv]

Saw picture of one of my family.

[@sonofjesus1464]

I do wish he had emotion to enhance the listeners

[@DZETube]

Sad reality is that even with an education if you live in a poor neighbourhood you still won’t be able to get a job. Alot of people look to hire people from good rich neighbourhoods.

[@GlobalBizlife]

See my comments for help.

[@alvin2407]

6:32 *realises its an ad*

[@yvonnehyatt8353]

Please study-Daniel Priestley and Stephen Ritz. Thanks 🌎

[@nathanburden9559]

Lason read St. john 5:24

[@LexFulton]

And what if u have no family support system? Then what?

[@jahnimai]

That's all well & fine; i hope it gets large & better. It is a shame we have no free, quality health care or freely provided skill programs, or free & open education. Learn as much as you can soak up, till it's time to pass on. The personal spirit-soul moves on, revealing the physical body as lifeless. A lesson of the difference between the force of life & the world of matter. In Denmark & those countries of similar policy, with the happiest people & the most % of millionaires. Educated, happy people, secure in survival, tend to progress up the economic ladder more. Unions not worried about going hungry & homeless, work w/management. However we cannot enjoy the Kingdom of God w/out God. It's like old age & death is a couple problems to be done with, forever. As the moon is known by different names and types of appearance, according to time & location of the seer; so it's like with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We are lost in the illusion of the material world. When tiny zeros follow the Absolute 0ne; the become of great value. We can do Science of Self Realization. Then awakened to youthful, eternal reality. By loving, humble, Devotional Service, we can shake off all conditioning & programming that pollutes our consciousness. Thus Sri Radha Krishna will reveal themselves as according to your type of knowledge-based, blissful loving exchange. A glimpse of such pure loving exchange is so precious that you will be ecstatic & blissful. And so progress. Please wake me & share some of that grace; the sain theists must be unified to empower one another to show humanity a fearless, & beautiful way to live for the Sweet Lord!

[@lindaspengler5778]

Awesome video! When it comes to money, if treated well has better chance of being productive in different ways. If you do this, you would have so much money that you don't care much about money rather the freedom, opportunities and options that comes with having money. Same exact words Pamela Morgan will say a true advisor, leave a comment if you need recommendation about a financial advisor

[@raphaellauren2400]

Nice saying! I have heard so much about her. In as much as I need a financial Advisor, I'd like you to recommend her to me the best possible ways to get in touch. I await your response briefly.

[@lindaspengler5778]

Reach out to her She is always available

[@lindaspengler5778]

+ 1 4 1 5 5 3 4 0 0 1 1

[@raphaellauren2400]

@@lindaspengler5778 Thanks for this Linda. I have done my due diligence, found out she's truly licensed with series 7. I'm now waiting on her reply perhaps am really excited about this.

[@lindaspengler5778]

@@raphaellauren2400 You're welcome. I'm glad I could help

[@annv6781]

Lesson for my parents (and all parents). Poor to low middle class folks should not have children. I come from a third world country and I will make it in this world!

[@cleverkins]

belonging or not belonging happens at every socio.economic level. Poverty is not about money... the choices we make and the awareness we develop are the bars of our wealth. How high we set the bar is up to us.

[@JELAJAHSEMESTA-u2h]

sometimes i missed some words he said

[@mysticaltyger2009]

Nothing in this talk about values of people in poverty. There are a lot of parents who don't care about their own kids. Absent fathers, and a society that seems to accept single parenthood as inevitable. Yet, it was not that way only a generation or two ago. What happened?

[@forthisclassinschool]

Poverty comes in different ways, his story is just one version of poverty. He should have probably opened with a statement about how his story is one type, but your definitely not wrong.

[@mysticaltyger2009]

....which would be fine if you look at this talk in isolation....but all the stuff I ever hear about poverty ignores the elephant in the room regarding single parent families.

[@forthisclassinschool]

+mysticaltyger2009 you should make a video, or write an article then. 😀

[@CappuccinoTX]

mysticaltyger2009 immigration happened

[@rickyharvey4835]

If you cant beatem then joinem !!!

[@efh4020]

Some young men I grew up around terrorized the neighborhood and blamed it on poverty while soaking up government resources. Poverty does not force any one to be a criminal but rather leaves the good standing citizens to endure these hoodlums. They never make good fathers and always rely on crime and government resources to make their way in the world. The hoodlums got Gov help while the gentrifiers got the houses leaving the good honest neighbors robbed twice. What about the people who worked hard and deserved to get a free ride to college that weren't murderers and drug dealers.

[@GlobalBizlife]

Horrid people with no morals.

[@Goodnewsglobal]

A masters in non-profit management sounds like a quick way to stay broke. He needs to get a job and get outta college. Fair play though. :-)

[@mdlytle12]

Non-profit management is a concentration of a Masters in Public Administration, a degree which can open many opportunities with good earning potential.

[@johnhi2024]

We need to talk about it, it's important, God will pay attention to us, China has a world-renowned poverty alleviation, and force it to say it's done, when the per capita is several times lower than the United States, such a strong political effort finally It has completely failed. Improving the ability of the poor to earn a living requires systematic vocational education. Professional skills， market, enterprise cooperation and even entrepreneurship，require too much support. It is naive to think that a high school and college degree is enough，at least the present system. I am not saying that You can’t find a job, I mean it’s not a stable job, See how we young people can't roll up, lie flat, or swing badly in China（卷不动，躺不平，摆不烂，I don’t know how to express with English）, it’s very difficult for young people to take a break, even if you get a postgraduate PhD. Yes, we need a really strong vocational education system to promote positive change for everyone, instead of GPA or staring at the chemical research in the ivy laboratory to change everything, everyone here can start by trying to help a corporate employee around you, Share more information on youtube, urge the media government to pay attention to this matter，here we are stay in the same planet

[@rickyharvey4835]

Easy money !!! Earn it or take it ????

[@Hurtzilla]

He wants less rappers? Or less rappers like YG?

[@spol3278]

Shoot violence3

[@ScientistALRIII]

I wonder whether he see that God gave him all these second chances and want that he would turn from his sins in repentance and call King of Kings Jesus Christ to his life as Savior and Lord. King of Kings Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth and Life. Going to Heaven is not based on your good deeds, but is based on what King of Kings Jesus Christ done for us on the cross. He died and 3 days after He was resurrected from the dead in order for you to have possibility to be born again and be with Him and His Father in Heaven. Yes, in order for you to be His child, IF you personally accept this Gift.

[@GlobalBizlife]

Allah is the one true God. Jesus is a prophet and so is Muhammad. Do your research. Alhamdidallah for the blessings Allah sent down on him.

[@aimeeseek]

Law enforcement did nothing wrong to you; your parents did when they did not feed you enough and let you grow up undiscipline. Your family most likely did not go and finish college.

[@whitelightning7847]

Wtf lol? That made me lose brain cells just listening...