“What is an irrational fear you have?” This was a question I asked Manuel,* a tenth-grade student I mentored during my year of service as a City Year Los Angeles AmeriCorps member. It was part of a game I introduced to get him engaged in our time together.

Is the American Dream at risk? To mark the 20th anniversary of America’s Promise Alliance – and to support our campaign to encourage people, organizations, and communities to #Recommit2Kids – we asked our youth leaders to reflect on this question. This perspective is the third in a special series on the topic. For more perspectives, read Here is Where Hope Lies and When the American Dream Turns Into American Need.

Whether it's a parent, mentor, guidance counselor, coach, or neighbor, a caring adult can serve as the primary line of defense against adversity in the lives of young people.