IT’S THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH YOU PLANT YOUR SEED THAT WILL DETERMINE HOW THEY GROW IN LYFE. MY PERSONAL STORY, AND MY GRANDFATHER’S STORY, BECAME THE FOUNDATION OF CONCRETE LYFE.
Concrete: Represents man-made systems, like societal structures and barriers, that make it difficult for underserved communities to flourish.
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LYFE: Represents the growth, goals, and purpose of the people we serve. The “Y” reminds everyone to never forget their “WHY” in LYFE and the inspiration behind their dreams and mission.
This idea was inspired by Tupac’s poem The Rose That Grew from Concrete.
Family Inspiration Showed Me the Power of Community: ​My grandfather's act of kindness and support for the youth saved our family during a time of war when my mother was only two years old. One night, a young person whom my grandfather had helped came to warn him of an impending attack. This warning allowed my grandfather to evacuate the village in Angola and save our family's lives.
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​Turning my pain into passion: ​Growing up, I lost many friends. Thinking back, I wonder how our lives might have been different if we had known more about what life had to offer beyond our limited access. Some might still be alive today if we had more opportunities.
Meet Tony Galvao: Founder and Executive Director
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Concrete LYFE was founded by Tony Galvao in 2021, who has been dedicated to community service since 2013 and has received:
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"Hero Among Us" award from the Boston Celtics for youth work.
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He was also honored with a citation from the Governor of Massachusetts for his contributions to youth work
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Acknowledged by the Harvard Phillips Brooks House Association for his DEI work.
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Current Role: As a voluntary Executive Director, Tony utilizes his lived experience and professional expertise to ensure the success of the Concrete LYFE mission.
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Concrete LYFE was created to be something much more than just another program but a lifestyle, a place where young people can come as they are and feel truly accepted and supported.
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Our unique approach aims to build a community that young people genuinely want to join. We inspire authentic action by embodying the values, aspirations, and interests of the communities we serve, turning dreams into reality, symbolized by a rose growing from concrete.
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By integrating innovative strategies led by the Youth Advisory Board, we create a strong connection that allows us to invest in young people, enhancing their financial security, well-being, and overall quality of LYFE.
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The vision was simple but powerful: to offer support without pressure, and to give youth a clear direction while also helping them enjoy the journey of LYFE.
Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete?
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Often, it feels like the community and youth create something valuable out of nothing, making their resilience seem like the struggle isn’t real.​
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The rose defies nature’s law by thriving without the usual resources.
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Just because a rose grows in less-than-ideal environments doesn’t mean the burden of struggles falls on the individuals in high-risk environments.​
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It’s remarkable that by holding onto its dreams, the rose learned to thrive despite the odds.
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Sometimes, intense pain and struggle drive people to pursue their dreams with even greater determination. However, this should not be a sustainable way for some youth to overcome challenges.​
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Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else cared.
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Youth of color continue to grow up in environments where society has failed them and does not equally support every youth.​​
