This is a spotlight on a man who wants very much to stay out of it.
Juan Velasquez speaks softly and leads with a big heart -- his tone is always measured and reassuring.
Velasquez is the Family Specialist at Stone Oak Elementary School.
He also serves the families at Canyon Ridge Elementary School.
Just in the past few months, he’s helped coordinate a Thanksgiving dinner delivery to families in need, delivered thank you cards written by Stone Oak students to a nearby senior center and helped people apply for custodial jobs within the District.
He’s busy, to say the least, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love being here. Seeing the kids interact and doing something like that [making thank you cards for seniors] is what’s rewarding. I wake up every day and it just doesn’t feel like it’s a job.”
Velasquez grew up on the west side of San Antonio.
His family didn’t have a whole lot.
“It was a very low-income community, you know, graduation dropouts were high, pregnancies were high. The only thing that kept me in line was my mom and dad. They didn’t have much to give us, but they gave us unconditional love, which was the most precious gift that we could have. “
And maybe it was that lesson and upbringing that makes Velasquez perfect for his role as a Family Specialist. He understands what families need. He knows what it looks like to struggle. He loves people unconditionally. And that’s the message he wants to make sure every student he encounters understands.
“I want them to learn what their community is about and learn how they can help one another because anyone can fall on hard times. My parents always told me, ‘never forget where you come from and never forget your roots because this is what made you who you are.’”
Now, his parents are impacting the next generation because of the lessons they taught Juan. As busy as he is, he says helping one another doesn’t take a lot of time. It can be as simple as writing a quick thank you note or donating a pair of socks. He just wants people to make their community the best it can be. And he is definitely making his community better every day.
Velasquez is just one of 48 NEISD Family Specialists throughout the District. Each of them works with families every day to help them with various needs. If your family needs help, reach out to the Family Specialist at your child’s school or visit neisd.net/family to find a list of Community Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Velsaquez, for making your community a better place #theNEISDway.
