Eric Miranda tells his young daughter two things every morning when he drops her off at school: “Be a leader, and do the right thing.” If he forgets, she reminds him. No wonder she’s on the dean’s list and praised for her leadership skills.

This spring semester, Eric’s been practicing his own advice as an intern with AFSC’s Youth Peacebuilding and Justice Program in Chicago. A four-year veteran of the military, he’s currently finishing his Justice Studies major at Northeastern University.

Eric’s work for AFSC includes sharing this presentation about the 43 missing youth in Mexico with students at Hurley Elementary School in Chicago. Eric worked with the Chicago students to create artwork in remembrance of the missing students, letting their parents know that “they matter to us, as well.”

Eric says he’s learned so much about the non-profit world, helping people and accessing youth resources from his work with Darlene Gramigna, who directs the AFSC program. When his fellow Northeastern students talk together about their internships, Eric says, “I’m so eager to let my classmates know what’s going on.”

He says his main message to young people is, “You don’t have to live by the label you have. There’s a way out.”