Full Transcript for Changemaker Curt Yagi, Executive Director, Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.)

elevated, but there were so many more. 00:05:05.040 --> 00:05:07.360 And for kids and families, so much. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:08.639 It was so tough. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:13.439 And so we realized sort of that point, it's like, oh, we know this community really well. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.920 We're the largest organization for youth here. 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:17.439 Let's just go deeper. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:19.519 There's so many more challenges now. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:21.199 Let's throw more resources. 00:05:21.199 --> 00:05:32.079 I mean, we have to raise more money, but let's throw more resources, more programs, even stuff for parents, just so that they can catch up and we can address all the highest priority needs. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:34.399 And that's how we can have the most impact. 00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:43.680 Yeah, Curt, when you say that, it makes me think of the airline rule: put your safety mask on first before helping the person beside you. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:46.879 And I, I feel like that's the situation with parents. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:56.240 You've got to have the parents, you have to be able to deal with the parents in order to effectively deal with the kids, I imagine. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:58.000 Now, Curt, tell me this. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:01.360 You've been at the organization for 23 years. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:02.560 That's a long time. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:06.879 But before that, you were a corporate guy. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:11.199 What has that transition been like for you? 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:13.439 Yes, I was a corporate guy. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:17.519 I actually I had the strangest route to nonprofit, I think. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:19.040 I can't wait to hear it. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:23.839 I'm always really curious how people find their path. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:24.480 Yeah. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:27.279 No, I was a computer science major in college. 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:32.480 I went to a college in California called UC Davis, University of California at Davis. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:32.879 Yeah. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:37.120 I went straight into the technology sector in downtown San Francisco. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:42.079 I hopped around different companies, consulting firms, got a lot of experience. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:45.040 My background is my parents were teachers. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:45.600 Okay. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:48.480 My sister was an occupational therapist. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:49.040 Okay. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.959 Had a couple aunts that were nurses. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:53.120 So we had all these givers in my family. 00:06:53.120 --> 00:07:00.959 Yeah, and I was a young guy, outlier in the corporate world in downtown San Francisco, living my life and having a great time. 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:02.800 But there was always something missing. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:08.800 I've always been really active in sports and different outdoor

activities. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:17.519 There was this one time, I think it was in '98, I got this random email from someone on I played adult recreational soccer. 00:07:17.680 --> 00:07:17.839 Yeah. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:20.959 And someone said, There's this organization called R.O.C.K. 00:07:20.959 --> 00:07:23.040 looking for volunteers. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:29.439 And I said, Hey, I've always wanted to do something else because I think it was kind of the calling in my life. 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:33.839 And I sort of showed up as a first external person of the R.O.C.K. 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:34.319 world. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:34.879 Wow. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:37.199 And I just, it was unbelievable. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:38.800 I instantly fell in love. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:42.079 I still remember going to my first volunteer outing. 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.680 We were teaching soccer to kids. 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:45.680 There's probably 50 kids there. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:49.199 It was joyful, there was high energy, it was safe. 00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:53.120 I proceeded to just volunteer every Saturday. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:55.519 I took vacation time off work. 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:56.079 Wow. 00:08:12.639 --> 00:08:14.079 Went into overnight camp, I joined the board of directors. So over the course of five years, it was just like— I really enjoy R.O.C.K. so much more than my day job. It was just sort of a natural progression to transfer into becoming the executive director when the opportunity came up. 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:24.800 Yeah, I imagine there's a lot of skills that you were able to take from the corporate world over into the executive director role. 00:08:24.800 --> 00:08:26.959 Did you find that to be the case? 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:28.959 I did, but I still struggled. 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:29.680 Really? 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:41.600 So I think, yeah, I mean, I think the the part from the business world and technology, you know, it was that that world is very structured and process-oriented and detailed. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:44.960 And I think to some extent, a lot of that does work. 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:45.600 Yeah. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:49.759 But I think there's a whole other side that I had to learn that I didn't know at the time. 00:08:49.759 --> 00:08:52.320 It's that heart and soul of nonprofits. 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:52.799 Right. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.720 How to navigate that side. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:09:04.720 And so I think I came on in retrospect, too strong, just heavy process and procedure and not knowing enough of the heart and soul side of things. 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:05.279 Yeah, yeah. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:09.360 I feel like in 23 years, I'm— I've finally gotten there. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:14.240 I've got to talk to my people, but I feel like I've made a lot of progress. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:15.120 Oh Curt, things will change. 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:19.519 Things will

change. You will have plenty of new things to learn, I'm sure, along the way. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.600 But humans are messy, right? 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:32.320 I mean, sometimes I think about the computer world, you know, it's a little bit more structured and humans are messy. 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:57.279 And I think my experience in marketing, kind of transitioning from more of a for-profit retail business to business book of clients to now serving almost exclusively nonprofits, you know, just even that experience of trading goods and services for money versus asking for money to support your mission. 00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:00.480 That's a very different world, I feel. 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:02.559 Did you find that as well? 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:05.200 Yeah, it's a huge, it's a huge shift. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:08.320 I mean, I think you'll appreciate the business world. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:09.519 It's very black and white. 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:10.000 Yes. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:11.919 Driven by bottom lines. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.399 Right? 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:15.279 Nonprofit, it's complete opposite. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:15.679 Yeah. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:17.039 And yes, we're asking. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:23.600 I mean, I guess you can equate bringing in revenue in the corporate world with asking for money. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:26.159 So it's a sales aspect to it. 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:26.639 Right. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:32.639 But you're selling your heart and soul to someone as opposed to a specific tangible product. 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.440 Yeah, yeah. 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:41.600 What you get from a nonprofit is arguably more important, but much less tangible. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.480 That's right. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.039 Yeah. 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:54.080 So, Curt, I'm trying to think in 23 years, that means you've been through several recessions, you've been through a pandemic. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:58.799 I mean, talk to me a little bit about that 20 years. 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:03.919 What has it been like doing this for actually not 20 years, 23 years? 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:04.639 Yeah. 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:06.159 It's been a journey. 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:12.960 It's— it's been, like I said, it was tough at first kind of learning the nuances of nonprofit and how to navigate that world. 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:16.240 I think you know, you bring up the pandemic. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:19.679 It was a lot of people would like to forget that time. 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.159 Oh, yeah. 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:27.679 I don't want to, I don't want to forget it because it was actually for the organization and for myself, it was one of the best things. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:29.200 There's a gift in that for us. 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:30.799 Wow, say more. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:42.879 Yeah, I think for what happened, you know, you know, we were all forced to be at home on our computers and communicate over phone. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:51.919 And we were sort of in the situation where we could either step up our game, yeah, or just, you know, bad things could happen to us. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:52.879 Right. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.879 You could just go into hiding, right? 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:55.360 Yeah. 00:11:55.919 --> 00:12:12.399 We were forced because all the information was constantly changing, we didn't know what to do, we were forced to really lean into our strategic muscle and sort of establish what are our priorities so that regardless of things shifting, we could always lean on our North Star. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:18.799 So I think during that time and ever since, our strategy has really leveled up. 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:24.639 And then I think personally, before the pandemic, I was commuting to San Francisco. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:28.799 I live on the other side of one of the big bridges there every day. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.879 And what's that commute like? 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:38.960 Being a Nebraska girl, when we complain about rush hour traffic because it slows us down for five minutes, right? 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:45.600 We might have to wait through a stop sign or a stoplight once or twice, but what was it like? 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:48.720 I mean, this was like an hour, hour and a half commute one way. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:52.639 Think about that three, two to three hours a day. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.039 Wow. 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:53.679 That's right. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.480 That's right. 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:56.000 I did that every day. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:58.399 And then pandemic, we didn't at all. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:58.799 Right. 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:08.240 But what it helped me to see is that I could trust a little bit more and spread the the wealth of work around a little better. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:12.879 And so I think my leadership skills elevated during that time as well. 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:18.639 So I think the organization, myself, just our team, we just went up a level. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:24.399 And so I think where it's— where we've landed is we really have a strong team in place. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:27.279 I have an executive leadership team. 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:31.840 It's a— my director of programs, Gina, my deputy director is Hannah. 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:38.320 The three of us, we have this really great shared leadership model where I think a lot of nonprofits strive for that. 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:45.919 But I feel like we've made quite a dent in that where we all have our specific responsibilities, but we help each other out. 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:54.559 We communicate regularly, we we have great process and procedures and we thought partner together all of that. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.279 Yeah. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:14:02.799 It just works out well that that it really feels that we're in balance and then I

can really focus on what I do well. 00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:26.960 Well, Curt, if you ever find yourself with a few minutes of time, I think you could go on a speaking tour because I know a lot of nonprofits, they really want to achieve that shared leadership model, but it's not an easy thing to do because you have to really understand the strengths and the weaknesses of your team and be vulnerable with one another. 00:14:26.960 --> 00:14:41.600 And I think be I think what is the term or the book, radical candor, to have that radical candor, to be able to say, hey, you today are stepping on my toes and or I need some help today. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:44.000 You know, are you finding that? 00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.679 Yeah, it's tough. 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:52.559 I mean, we did go through some internal training for all our managers on just sort of emotional intelligence. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:53.039 Yeah. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.039 And it's been really helpful. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.559 I think that's part of it. 00:14:56.559 --> 00:15:09.039 But I think for the most part, it was really just the the impacts of the pandemic forcing us to work really be efficient, work as a team, navigate this ever-changing landscape. 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:12.080 And that's just sort of carried through to where we are today. 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:18.080 And it's just been a really great situation, especially for myself, as I have young kids at home. 00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:28.960 And it's just both of my other executive leadership team members have families, and we just want to have that balance between work and life as well. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:39.519 Curt, since you said that, that makes me think of something too that I found during the pandemic related to working from home and kids. 00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:48.480 I remember one of our VPs at KidGlov had two school age kids who all of a sudden were at home. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:54.320 She was continuing her work schedule, so she was on Zoom meetings every day. 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:59.679 And oftentimes in Zoom meetings, her children would be like right there. 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:05.279 And I would, my children are grown, and I remember thinking at some point, that just is not very professional. 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.879 What can we do about it? 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:23.440 And then I found out one of her clients is the owner of a family-owned community bank, and her children were sending pictures to him, and he was, you know, so appreciative of that relationship. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:28.799 And based on that, they came up with the idea for this kids' club that's amazing. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.320 And it's like, you know what? 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:38.399 I think the pandemic and those situations just made us more aware of humanity, right? 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:43.039 And I think that's such a good and important thing. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:57.600 But it also leads me to, because you talked about your leadership team, as I was preparing for this conversation today, one of the things I read that you have said is that your people are your programs. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.559 Is that correct? 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:03.279 And if so, tell me more because it's such a beautiful sentiment. 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:13.279 Yeah, I mean, I think it's for most organizations, I mean, especially the work of R.O.C.K., you know, we we take pride in having high-quality programs. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:23.200 We also know, and I do think we're not alone, we have really good processing procedures internally and structure and how we do programming and stuff like that. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:28.400 But if you don't have the right people in place to implement those, you're not gonna get the results you want. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:44.640 And so I think we've always thought, and and I think again, this was elevated because of the pandemic as well, is the longer that we can retain people, the more that you know they're engaged and really want to be part of our culture, the better our programs will be. 00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:51.119 Ultimately, it'll be more, it'll be less expensive for the organization, money-wise. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:51.599 Yeah. 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:54.720 And it'll lead to just better programs. 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:57.359 And that's really, you know, that's our biggest value. 00:17:57.359 --> 00:18:01.839 I mean, it's really, I think I was looking at the numbers, over 90% of our budget is for people. 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:04.480 So salaries, benefits, everything else. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:07.200 So it's like that's really our product that we have. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.319 I love it. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:13.359 So, Curt, what's a day in the life look like at R.O.C.K.? 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:20.079 Like when you're providing— your people are providing services, what's that look like? 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:28.079 Yeah, and so it's a little bit different every day, but for the most part, you know, we're the lead nonprofit partner for three public schools. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:30.400 That's all the public schools in Visitacion Valley. 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:35.519 So there's two elementary, one middle school, and then we do high school work at different schools. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:35.839 Okay. 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:44.640 But for the school-based work, during the school day, we have wellness programs, we have recreation during lunch and recess, facilitated play. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:47.359 We do some literacy support. 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:55.039 After school, we have full programs where we do a lot of really fun things in addition to academics and enrichment. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:57.680 Saturdays is really where it gets fun. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:05.680 We have sports, fitness, outdoor adventures, outdoor education, and then during the summer, you know, full day camps.

00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:09.680 I think we do a six to seven-week day camp for kids. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.400 Wow. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:12.319 Overnight camps. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.880 Oh, that's intense overnight camps. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.119 Yeah, for all ages. 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:20.079 And so these are just year-round programs. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:28.319 Like I said earlier, it's just as many touch points as we can, the more our kids can grow and be ready for life. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:32.720 And the other thing I'd like to add, all these programs are 100% free. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:34.400 So we don't charge anything. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.880 Yeah, what a relief for the families. 00:19:36.880 --> 00:19:43.440 So, Curt, I also read you referring to something called full circle moments. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:47.440 Can you can you tell us more about full circle moments? 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.920 Yeah, well, I think there's a a couple things here. 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:52.400 One is, I mean, I've been involved with R.O.C.K. 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:55.440 28, 29 years, you know, when I volunteered. 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:56.240 Right. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:20:02.640 Those students I serve back then, they were in elementary school, they're now in their 20s and 30s. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.720 Do you get to see them sometimes? 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:13.440 I can't tell you how many times I'm walking around or driving, and someone stops me and says, Hey, are you Curt from R.O.C.K.? 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:19.680 And that's just— that's one of the most unbelievable things is being able to see our alumni remember. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:22.160 Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's someone else. 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:26.480 a lot of times it's an activity or some R.O.C.K. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:29.839 memory they have that they bring up that attribute to their success. 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:33.920 So those moments happen, and it's really cool being a part of that. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:38.640 And then additionally, we have so many alumni who end up working for us. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.759 Oh, yeah. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.960 Yeah, including three of our managers who are alumni. 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.359 Wow. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:50.000 So it's really, you know, our goal is to see long-term success as kids transition to adulthood. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:57.759 That's one of those immediate gratification things where you can say, oh wow, this young person used to be in our programs and now they work. 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:59.519 Now they work here. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:01.200 Oh, that's fantastic. 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:14.480 And really going back to that idea of your people being the programs and the quality of the people, I mean, having that experience as a child really reinforces the understanding of the impact there. 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.039 That's right. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.680 As well. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.640 That's great. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:25.599 So, Curt, as you think about, you know, you have such a long and nice history for the organization, 32 years. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.119 What's on the horizon? 00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.880 What are you going to do next? 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:31.119 It's a tough question to answer. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:40.720 I think we still experience some of the challenges as a result of the pandemic, even though it's been six years ago, there's still lots of deficits. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.359 Yeah. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:48.319 I think there's still, you know, every year what we do well is we really do a needs assessment. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:51.839 We do lots of— we listen intently. 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:51.920 Yeah. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:58.000 Analyze data, and we elevate the highest needs, and we try to address all those needs as much as possible. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.759 So we're going to continue doing that every year. 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:03.440 We still see some of those lingering effects from the pandemic. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:03.839 Yeah. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:06.960 The biggest expansion points, we have a couple things. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:10.000 One is our high school program has been pretty small. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.920 We're blowing that up this year. 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.440 Nice, blowing it up. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.240 I love it. 00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:18.960 We want to see more of these young people as they transition to adulthood. 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:29.680 And the other expansion area is we've always, like I said, our people are our programs, and we're doing the best we can to increase our retention rate, keep people happy. 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.599 We kind of look back in the past year. 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:37.359 There were some positions that were maybe had more people they were managing or more students in their classroom. 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:41.119 So we've rebalanced some of our positions. 00:22:41.119 --> 00:22:44.880 We actually added a management position to create balance in the organization. 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:57.680 We've done that in a couple areas, but really we're just trying to work with what we got and make those tweaks here and there, invest where we need to just to make sure we're more sustainable and have higher quality programs. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.720 I love it. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:07.119 So, Curt, I'm sure we have a lot of listeners who are, you know, taking in your story, your work. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:18.960 What advice would you share with them about investing in young people and the importance of creating that positive change at a very local level? 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:22.480 Yeah, and I know you have you have listeners all over the place. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.359 All over, yeah. 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.400 Maybe all over the world. 00:23:24.960 -->

00:23:26.640 Even a couple international. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:33.279 We we do as a matter of fact, we have a guest coming up that's from South Africa. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:37.440 We've talked to folks in England and different places. 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:43.119 So so yes, what what would you what would you share with them about that impact? 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:48.960 Yeah, as much as I'd want everyone in your community to support R.O.C.K., I know that's not feasible. 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:57.359 And I mean, I guess my my advice to to people out there would be really find something local that resonates with you. 00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:07.359 I mean, it could be children, it could be focused on hunger or whatever the case, whatever resonates with you, do your research. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:17.759 Look at their 990s, look at whatever's financial statements or annual reports they have, talk to people, pick up the phone. 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:21.039 It's not a scary thing to talk to people over the phone. 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:23.039 I actually enjoy that. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:29.599 And if you like something, go for it, give, give money and time. 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:31.599 I'd say both if you can. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:43.599 And I think the one thing with young people, especially, is organizations that serve young people, you're not gonna find that instant gratification necessarily from giving money. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:49.759 It takes time, yeah, and it may take years to see actual impacts of your dollar. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:25:04.240 I would say just trust that, especially nowadays, there's so much uncertainty with funding for children and education that there's just young people, they can never have too many resources. 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:04.880 Right. 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:11.599 And can't have too many mentors or just positivity in their lives. 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:32.480 The more that we put in there, it's gonna pay off in some shape or form. If you can just do that and believe that it's gonna happen over the course of several years and you're not gonna see that instant gratification, hey, you're doing your part and and you'll feel the returns personally in that in that gratification you get. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.440 That's great. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:45.759 So let's say somebody who wants to invest that the funds or the talent in R.O.C.K., what's the best way for them to find out more and connect with you? 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:48.880 Yeah, I guess first of all, we're all over social media. 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:53.839 So real options for city kids, you can always Google that and some one of our handles will come up. 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:57.200 If not, our website rocksf.org. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:03.680 So R O C K S F as in San Francisco dot org. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.400 Nice. 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:06.160 That has all our handles there as well. 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.200 Fantastic. 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:16.000 We'll also put all of those handles on the KidGlov website with these show notes so people can have access to that too, Curt. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.839 Alright, Curt, I'm gonna switch gears. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:33.119 I'm gonna ask you my favorite question because our listeners know I am a collector of inspirational quotes, and I would like a Curt Yagi original to add to my collection. 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:35.440 You know, I hope this is original. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:41.839 If not, you can cite whoever said this, but let me give you the background first. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.400 Okay. 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:55.440 So myself, like many when I was younger, you know, in my childhood and even young adulthood, I could have been, I guess I might have been a little bit lazy sometimes, and I would procrastinate. 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:58.000 I maybe I'm the only one that ever did that a little bit. 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:58.880 No, I think we all did that. 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.559 Something like that. 00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:00.880 Yeah. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:05.920 So I would procrastinate and sometimes, or I would overthink things. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:16.720 And as I got older in my career, I'm like, oh, I gotta figure out a way to just make sure I'm more efficient, make sure I can get things started, not procrastinate, and wait till last minute on things. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:20.640 And so my quote is do something. 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:26.400 And I'm sure someone's probably said that before in some shape or form, because it's not very hard. 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:34.880 But I think just like sometimes for me, it's about because I feel like I'm at a point where I am pretty efficient and I like to get things done. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:38.640 But sometimes it's just about that one small step, do something. 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:44.240 Yeah, it doesn't have to, you don't have to overthink and have everything perfect, but it's just about getting started. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:54.799 Because what always happens is you just do that little bit, and then all of a sudden, next thing you know it, you're rolling, you got a lot done, and you're on to the next thing after that. 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:56.079 I love it. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:28:01.519 Yes, we as humans have a tendency to want to overthink things. 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:05.279 We want to try and make it perfect before we get started. 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:12.640 But I think there's also a saying out there that if you wait for the perfect time, it will never come. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:14.559 So I like it. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:17.279 Do something is very valuable. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:22.880 I'm writing it in my notebook because it's something I can remind myself of today. 00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.519 Alright. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:26.880 Curt, I have loved this conversation. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:36.720 As we wrap up our time together today, what is the most important thing you would like people to remember about the work that you're doing? 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.799 Yeah, I mean, I think there's two things. 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:45.200 On the personal side, it's never too late or a bad idea to change directions and careers. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:48.240 You know, I think I'm a testament to that. 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:53.599 I left the corporate world many years back, and I haven't looked back since. 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:55.440 And I love what I do. 00:28:55.440 --> 00:29:01.680 I'm passionate about it, and I'm able to take care of my family and spend time with them during their childhood. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:06.400 I think for R.O.C.K., it's really just about, just being smart. 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:17.200 And I think our big thing, and maybe others can learn from this or or take inspiration, is we're really good at listening and we're really good at analyzing data. 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:28.400 And when we use those two things, I mean, really listening intently, we can have a lot of impact and we could really make change and uncover a lot of things. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:36.640 And so I guess that's probably what I leave at is if anyone wants to draw inspiration, is the listening and analyzing. 00:29:36.640 --> 00:29:41.200 It's both of them together can make good things happen. 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.720 I love that, Curt. 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:59.599 It reminds me of something you said earlier when you came in hard charging from the corporate world and wanted to just do all the things, but it sounds to me like there came a point where you decided to slow down and listen and analyze and and respond accordingly. 00:29:59.599 --> 00:30:00.400 I love that. 00:30:00.400 --> 00:30:13.279 Curt, I have to say I fully believe the world needs more people like you, more organizations like Real Options for City Kids or R.O.C.K.. 00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:17.599 And I just so appreciate you taking time out to talk with us today. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:22.240 Yeah, it's been an absolute pleasure. I appreciate having you having me on your show. 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.519 Absolutely. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:26.079 Best of luck with everything moving forward, Curt. 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.599 We're gonna keep tabs on you. 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:29.039 Thanks so much. 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:34.240 We hope you enjoyed today's Agency for Change podcast. 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:46.880 To hear all our interviews with those who are making a positive change in our communities, or to nominate a changemaker you'd love to hear from, visit kidglov.com at K-I-D-G-L-O-V dot com to get in touch. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:51.759 As always, if you like what you've heard today, be sure to rate, review, subscribe, and share. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.920 Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time.