Growing up in East Los Angeles, Master of Social Work student Ronnie Fernandez didn’t see many positive role models, specifically young, educated Latino men and women.

So last year, he started a mentorship program called Sons of Troy with the goal of teaching students what he wishes he could have learned from successful Latinos in his own community.

After partnering with Garfield High School for the initial eight-session pilot program, Sons of Troy will be mentoring students at three high schools this fall. Fernandez solicited the USC School of Social Work, Men in Social Work Caucus, Garfield High alumni and community leaders to help mentees learn a variety of skills, including communicating effectively, budgeting money, and dealing with personal challenges, such as anxiety and self-doubt.

“In East L.A., everything is visual,” said Fernandez, a second-year Community Organization, Planning and Administration student. “When you act or speak like you are educated, they consider you a sell-out. We want to help these kids understand that the more education you have, the less bias you have.”

To add more value to the program, Fernandez plans on bringing in guest speakers, such as police officers and financial literacy community liaisons, who are alumni of the School of Social Work, from Pan American Bank, the oldest Latino community bank in East Los Angeles.

“We’re bringing more structure this year, but I still want everyone to gain more knowledge first and foremost,” he said. “As community members, we have to lead the program. My goal is to create something that is going to last by trying to create facilitators for other community members and alumni.”

To ensure the program’s longevity, Sons of Troy has expanded its network by building relationships with East L.A. community organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club, various YMCAs, as well as Pan American Bank.

Clinical Associate Professor Sam Mistrano said Fernandez demonstrated concern for his local community from the first day of his social welfare class and challenged him to get involved.

“Ronnie came to our school with that passion, and has been eager to learn and practice that learning,” Mistrano said. “Ronnie's work as a professional will surely grow. Today, it’s mentoring students at Garfield High School. Tomorrow, it will be as mayor of the new city of East Los Angeles.”