Unlocking Purpose for the Vulnerable (feat. Brian Meza, Petra Cares)
For young adults who faced significant challenges growing up, it can be very hard to successfully transition into the workforce. They may not have the resources or self-confidence to strive for a fulfilling career. As a result, they may end up unemployed or stuck in a cycle of jobs that don’t offer upward mobility.
Today’s guest, Brian Meza, is tackling this problem with his Petra Cares program. We are so excited to spread the word about this inspiring resource, as we believe it’s truly an invaluable asset to our community.
As the Executive Director of Petra Cares, Brian partners with Lone Star College to provide automotive industry training for vulnerable young adults—such as those who are aging out of foster care. Brian also helps graduates of the program find fulfilling job placements.
In this episode, Brian shares how his team goes the extra mile to remove any obstacles that could get in the way of their students’ educations, how they have adapted the Petra Cares program over the years to encourage more successful graduations, what putting himself in the shoes of people with challenging backgrounds has taught him about empathy, and so much more.
You can also find this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Your unique skill set may be ideal for addressing a big need in the foster care community. As we always say, there are many different places along the River where you can lend a hand. For Brian, learning about the huge number of young people in Houston who need help developing career skills after aging out of foster care was eye-opening. Just like Brian and the teachers who serve at Petra Cares, you too can find a spot along the River that connects with your heart and aligns with the resources you’re able to provide.
- Sometimes, we need to help people help themselves. Anyone—but especially young people—can be difficult to get through to at times. When young adults have experienced a challenging childhood and adolescence, it may feel impossible for them to figure out who they are. When working with these individuals, it’s crucial to show them compassion, understanding, and unconditional support. In Brian’s case, he goes out of his way to remove any obstacles that might stand in the way of a student’s ability to show up and learn.
- Supporting those in need is a collaborative effort. Brian does his part to educate young adults and send their lives on a positive trajectory. But there are times when his students experience additional struggles—such as a need for housing—that Brian doesn’t specialize in. In these moments, he reaches out to his network of connections, and other individuals who have found their place along the River of Houston’s foster care community step up to lend a hand.
Resources
- Learn more about Petra Cares on their website, Facebook, or YouTube channel.
Meet the Guest
Brian Meza is a veteran youth worker with 25 years of experience. He has dedicated his life to helping youth and young adults find their purpose and achieve their dreams. Known for his ability to build and scale projects from the ground up, he has led numerous successful projects for national and international non-profits, such as Young Life and KSBJ in Houston. At Petra Cares, Brian sets the vision and leads the execution of a proven strategy that helps young people learn a trade in the automotive tech space and find gainful employment. When he’s not working, Brian can be found in a local coffee shop enjoying a good book or cheering on his favorite LA sports teams.
