CHP program, officers helps Santa Ana teen prepare for future in law enforcement

Antoine Díaz, 17, has motive to be standing tall on commencement day. He’s ending Santa Ana Valley Excessive College a yr and a half early with a 4.0 GPA.

“I’m very excited. It’s what I labored for,” Díaz mentioned. “I’m overwhelmed as a result of I’m closing an enormous chapter in my life.”

However how he received right here wasn’t simple.

California Freeway Patrol Sgt. Florentino Olivera received a name earlier this yr from a college police officer who advised him that Díaz wished to hitch the CHP Explorer program in hopes of someday having a profession in legislation enforcement.

“I gave him a name. I advised him to come back to certainly one of our conferences. I advised him to put on a polo shirt denims and darkish footwear. Look skilled,” Olivera mentioned.

Díaz confirmed up for that assembly, solely he was three hours early and wasn’t carrying the right apparel, only a pair of sweatpants and a sweater that didn’t match him. This went on for weeks, Olivera mentioned.

“Me and my household, we endure with monetary issues, so I had by no means had the chance to exit and store for garments. So I virtually put on the identical factor daily, simply washed,” Díaz mentioned.

Olivera ultimately gained Díaz’s belief and later discovered that his dad and mom had been separated. Neither owned a automotive, and Díaz was touring by bus greater than three hours each week to his Explorer assembly. That’s when this CHP sergeant knew he had to assist.

“After we noticed the place he lived and the circumstances, it was tough,” Olivera mentioned.

Within the following months, Olivera and his fellow officers bought extra garments and meals for Díaz and his household.

Receiving help like this makes Díaz wish to pay the advantages ahead.

“Completely it makes me wish to assist less-fortunate individuals in my neighborhood,” Díaz mentioned.

Díaz was accepted into Cal State Fullerton, the place he begins courses within the fall.

“Very brilliant! He’s decided. Failure to him isn’t an possibility,” Olivera mentioned.