Leaders: Ray-Ray

Life Experience:

Growing up in Livermore, California, Ray-Ray was the oldest of four boys. "Because I was the oldest, my father expected a lot from me due to how he was raised," Ray-Ray recalls. "I grew up being teased by my family and friends because of my weight, race, and because I did not speak Spanish." Ray-Ray and his father argued and fought regularly, which "also made me take my aggression out on my brothers and others around me," he says. At a young age, Ray-Ray chose to live on his own, and got involved in drug-related activities to ease his pain.

"My life changed once I met and married my beautiful wife, Carmen," Ray-Ray says. He decided to change his ways, and transform his pain into a desire to help others. "When my angels, Julian and Janessa, were born, I saw that there was more to life than always being angry. I finally found the love that I had been searching for."

Knowing firsthand that growing up is hard, Ray-Ray volunteered at his son's school, and reached out to young people in his neighborhood. "Something about working with the kids just felt right," he says. "Before, I always struggled to find out why I was put here, and felt like I had no answers. When Challenge Day was introduced to me, and I became a Challenge Day Leader, I finally got the answer that I had been searching for."

If you really knew me, you would know that ...

• My wife and my children are my world and I love them with all my heart and soul.
• Being a Challenge Day Leader is the job of my dreams.
• Listening to my children brings lots of laughter and joy.
• I love where my life is heading.