Irene Marin graduated from YouthBuild Charter School of California's El Monte campus on March 19, 2021. She was tragically taken from this world on December 24, 2021.
Her family told us that she felt that “YouthBuild wasn’t just a school, it was a second family,” and she was always recommending friends and family who needed a diploma to enroll. Irene (known to her loved ones as "Shorty") was an El Monte Police Explorer, a volunteer with Project Coffee Cup, and the winner of a special SGVCC scholarship. She received a certificate in administration of justice from Rio Hondo College before she even graduated high school. Despite the struggles brought on by the pandemic and a switch to distance learning, Irene never gave up on her studies and was excited to finally earn her diploma.
The teachers and staff at our El Monte site shared the following about Irene: “Irene Marin began school at El Monte YouthBuild in September 2019. She was a determined and intelligent young person. Her presence on campus was that of a quiet leader whose smile would light up any room. Perhaps it was Irene’s experience-filled youth that built her leadership skills. It was easy for Irene to work with her peers and help them be their best selves in and out of the classroom. Her close friendships on campus were a reflection of the unbreakable bond she had with her family, whose personal struggles did not tear apart but strengthened their devotion to each other. Having overcome chronic homelessness, her family remained together and supported each other. These qualities are evident in Irene’s maturity. Even before joining the El Monte YouthBuild team, Irene was career-oriented. She was an El Monte Explorer while a student at El Monte High School. Her goals were to build and maintain a successful career and return a love that words cannot fully describe.”
Rest in Power, Irene. ❤️🕊
Rest in Power, Irene. ❤️🕊
