When 12-year-old Joseph Maass came to the Youth Center’s After School Program six years ago, he never imagined how it would shape his life’s course and future aspirations.
Now 18, he’s been working the last nine months at his very first part-time job as a Youth Center staff member, and the Long Beach resident just enrolled in Long Beach City College’s winter session to study social work in the hopes of shaping other kids’ lives as a teacher or child psychologist.
When 12-year-old Joseph Maass came to the Youth Center’s After School Program six years ago, he never imagined how it would shape his life’s course and future aspirations.
Now 18, he’s been working the last nine months at his very first part-time job as a Youth Center staff member, and the Long Beach resident just enrolled in Long Beach City College’s winter session to study social work in the hopes of shaping other kids’ lives as a teacher or child psychologist.
“Growing up at the Youth Center helped me develop into the person I always aspire to be,” Maass said. “If the Youth Center weren’t here, I feel my career goals would be absent.”
Initially he came here as a 6th grader from Oak Middle School to hang out with friends and staff. He later attended Los Alamitos High School putting in volunteer hours with the Youth Center for his community service requirements.
It was from the staff members he learned respect and empathy, two things he wants to carry into his future career, that he already employs in his personal life today.
While recently working the Youth Center’s booth at the Seal Beach Christmas tree lighting, he encountered a 6-year-old boy upset and crying. He went on to craft an Emoji bookmark for the boy, quickly cheering him up, then watched as he made another with his mother. “It showed me it doesn’t take much to make a difference [in a child’s life],” Maass explained. “You just have to show it [respect and empathy].”
“Joseph makes a difference every day,” said Youth Center Programs & Operations Manager Julie Rubin. “The children just love him and are very happy to see him each day.”
With a smile, Maass recalls one child’s enthusiasm and elation in seeing him at the Youth Center’s Rossmoor After-School & Academic Learning Services (RASCALS) at Rossmoor Park.
“It was funny because the child was still in the car and his mother had to get out from the other side and open the car door up, all the while the with him yelling to me,” Maass said. “I still remember being that excited about hanging out with staff and friends.”
The allure for him working at the Youth Center and for kids coming here remains a constant over time. “You are freed from any issues or worries of the [outside] world,” he said. “You come here and put negativity out the door, you have a place to relax and have fun with friends without worrying about other [outside] things. It’s always that same kind of exciting experience.”
When not working at the Youth Center, Maass enjoys skeet shooting, singing with friends who were in choir at Los Alamitos High School, plays video games with his brother and attending music concerts with his father.
His brother Ethan is now in high school and volunteers with the Youth Center and his older brother Adrian, who is in college in North Dakota, worked with The Youth Center for 3 years. “We are definitely one of many families that has grown up at The Youth Center.”
For more information about the Youth Center’s After School Program or other programs offered, visit them online at theyouthcenter.org.