Every Child Deserves Somewhere Safe to Dream.

I Know What It Means to Be Given a Chance.

I was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and came to the United States when I was three years old. I grew up in Corona, Queens, in a family that didn't have much financially, but had something worth far more: parents who refused to give up on their children.

My parents came to this country searching for a better life. They didn't speak much English. They worked long hours, and my father sometimes worked two jobs to make sure our family had what we needed.

Growing up wasn't always easy. I struggled with English, experienced bullying, and knew what it felt like to have less than the kids around me.

But my parents taught me something that stayed with me. Your circumstances don't determine your worth, and where you begin doesn't have to determine where you finish.

A Place That Made a Difference

When I was younger, my parents often worked late. One of the places that became an important part of my childhood was the Beacon Program.

It wasn't some fancy facility. It was somewhere I could go after school, get a meal, finish my homework, participate in activities, and simply be a kid.

Looking back, I realize how much that meant.

While my parents were working hard to build a future for our family, there was a community program helping provide the structure, encouragement, and safe environment children need.

At the time, I didn't fully understand the significance of having somewhere to belong.

Today, I do.

From the Kid I Was to the Man I Became

My journey eventually took me into the United States Navy, where I served aboard a nuclear-powered submarine.

After my military service, I kept learning, kept pushing myself, and took every opportunity I could to grow. Along the way, I built a career in technology that the little kid growing up in Corona, Queens, could never have imagined.

Today, I'm also a husband and father of four.

I've learned that opportunity can change the direction of someone's life. But I've also learned that talent alone isn't always enough.

Sometimes a young person needs someone to recognize their potential before they recognize it themselves.

Someone to introduce them to possibilities they've never considered.

Someone willing to show them a different path.

Why The Robles Foundation Exists

I remember growing up around young people who believed their only way out was through sports, the streets, or whatever opportunities happened to come their way.

I want the next generation to know there are more possibilities.

I want a child who has never touched a computer to discover that they could become an engineer, a technician, a cybersecurity professional, or a leader.

I want young people to learn that college is one path, but not the only path. Certifications, technical training, mentorship, and practical skills can also open doors.

But above everything else, I want to create a place where kids feel safe, supported, and valued.

A place where they can get help with homework, learn something new, share a meal, build friendships, and discover what they're capable of becoming.

Because sometimes, before you can show a child how to build a future, you have to give them somewhere safe to dream about one.

A Legacy Bigger Than My Name

The Robles Foundation carries my family's name, but I don't want its impact to end with my family.

I want it to represent the sacrifices of parents who work tirelessly for their children, the mentors who give their time, and the communities that refuse to give up on the next generation.

My parents came to this country hoping to give their children opportunities they never had.

Now, I want to take the opportunities I've been given and help create them for somebody else's child.

We're still at the beginning of this journey. The building, the classrooms, the computer labs, and the programs are part of a future we're working toward.

But the purpose is already clear.

One day, I hope a young person who walked through our doors will look back and realize that someone believed in them when they needed it most.

And maybe, years later, they'll turn around and do the same for somebody else.

That's the legacy I want to leave.

Not simply a foundation with my name on it.

A generation of young people who were given a chance, and went on to give someone else one.