The community center hosted its first public showcase in May.

Families filled the main room to hear students describe what they had learned.

One teenager had secured an apprenticeship interview.

Another had been accepted into a dual-credit program.

Mia displayed the outline of a nursing pathway that included several affordable routes to qualification.

Nadia asked Selena to say a few words.

She had prepared notes, but when she reached the microphone she folded them and spoke directly to the families.

“A year ago,” she began, “I thought planning for the future meant somebody older telling you what was possible.