The FACES for the Future Coalition and its founder, Dr. Tomás A. Magaña, were featured on the NBC Nightly News on January 1, 2013.
Since 2000, FACES for the Future has provided health care career training, mentorship and academic support to high school students in some of the toughest areas of Oakland and Hayward, California. In this compelling piece, Dr. Magaña discusses his passion for giving at-risk youth the opportunity to develop the self-esteem, confidence and practical skills necessary to become health care professionals.
“Even with so much trauma, poverty and hopelessness, many children still dream of a better life — a life full of opportunities,” said Dr. Magaña.
He also stressed that as the country ages and its demographics change, we must build a stronger, more diverse health care workforce.
“What better source to pull from than our children,” he said.
Dr. Magaña explains his reasons for creating the FACES program model, and in another video, shares why there is an imperative to build a healthcare workforce through training and empowerment of youth.
(January 2013)