We had the good fortune of connecting with Victor Campos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victor, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Growth is what matters to me the most. The reason I started Mosh For Youth is because there are students who are striving for growth, but socioeconomic and political factors get in the way of growth. The reason I was able to get out of my unfortunate circumstances was because of growth mentality. In life everyone faces challenges and in the way that society is set up, some face more than others. Nonetheless, we all have the opportunity for growth and it is important to be able to look at any set back, any failure, anything that is wrong and just grow from it.

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Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work full time for a charter school network called Ednovate. In this job, I work with 6 different schools to create classroom projects that help students find purpose. Outside of my full time (and what I’m assuming you’re reaching out to me about) I run a non-profit organization called Mosh For Youth. Through this org, we through Hardcore shows in Pomona to raise scholarship money for students of East LA and Pomona. I chose these two communities because Pomona is where I grew up and fell in love with the hardcore subgenre. I chose East LA because this is a community where I used to teach and was welcomed to with open arms.

I created this organization because it combined my two passions of music and education. I firmly believe that if I had not pursued education, I would have continued the cycle of poverty that our communities face. However, because of my pursuit of education, I am heavily in debt. I know students who want to pursue education often face the financial roadblock that stops them from pursuing their education. What Mosh For Youth wants to do is tear down that wall, We want young students to dream and dream big.

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Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday: Start off at Tierra Mia coffee for a cubano con leche and a cheese delight. Next, just go for a quick stroll at Elysian Park to hang out and enjoy the view before lunch. Lunch time, none other than Azteca Tortilleria for the Chile Relleno burrito. It being Monday, we’d take it easy we’d just end the night grabbing a quick bite and movie at Alamo Drafthouse in LA.

Tuesday: Breakfast at George’s Cafe in West Covina. Do the 5 mile loop hike in Claremont. Lunch at Angelo’s burgers in Pomona. Followed by a night cap at Round 1 in City of Industry.

Wednesday: 100% beach day. Tons of little cafes by the Santa Monica pier, but we wont do that until we get in a quick bike ride along the beach. Lunch time will be at Howlin Rays in Chinatown, have a quick beer at Highland Park Brewery before going up to some culture at The Getty.

Thursday: Weekend is almost here. Breakfast will be at Placita Olvera. There’s a spot (name unknown) that has some of the best menudo I’ve ever had. Let’s start there. After placita, we can just keep walking down to The Broad. Hang out there for a little while before heading to Mendocino Farms for lunch. Dinner will be at Grand Central Market. I will get a For The Win burger, but they can get one of the million other options.

Friday, we are starting our day with a hike at Eaton Canyon falls. It’s easy enough to not be burnt out, but difficult enough to feel accomplished. We’ll have some seltzers next to the waterfall. Lunch time will be at Cava in Pasadena. Since we’re in Pasadena already, we will most definitely go to Huntington Library.

Saturday: there’s definitely a show happening at The Glasshouse in Pomona. We’re going there, but not until we eat some good pizza at Warehouse Pizza in La Verne. Night is going to be there in Downtown Pomona.

Sunday, unfortunately I have to drop you off at LAX, but not without a proper California send off. In N Out.

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Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jorge Jamaica. He is the owner of Por Siempre Pomona, a tattoo and clothing store, but aside from his amazing artistic abilities, he is one of the most community oriented people. All he does is to uplift the people around him and community. His story is truly inspirational and a great example of the power of a growth mindset.

Website: https://moshforyouth.org

Instagram: @moshforyouth

Twitter: @moshforyouth

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Image Credits
Luckee Ngin

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