Alex's Story

Prevention Specialist - Cleveland

Creating change is not easy. It takes courage, confidence and leadership. These are the very attributes Alex Leslie works to instill and develop in the young people he works with every day as a Prevention Specialist for Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC).

“What I have found is that they have been waiting for someone to talk to them about this stuff and be real about it,” Alex explains.  “Adults are too scared to have real conversations with young people about sexual violence and no one benefits when people are afraid to talk about it.”

Alex had his first real discussions about sexual violence when he was in college.  “It was a little like Alice going down the proverbial rabbit hole,” describes Alex.  “Once I took a look into this issue, I began to learn so much.  I heard from survivors and became outraged that there wasn’t more being done about it.”

Not only is Alex doing something about it, but he is also teaching others to do something about it.   He focuses on two cutting edge programs:  Youth 360, which trains young leaders to become activists against sexual violence, and Men of Strength Club (MoST Club), which helps young men explore what it really means to be a man.  “The goal is for young men to learn what is appropriate for men. You don’t have to be the guy that people expect you to be, you can be the guy that you want to be and should be,” Alex says.

In his role at CRCC, Alex sees firsthand the positive effects of one person courageously standing up and speaking out. “I know that I can create change, and I know that by helping young people to be empowered, they can find their voice and they can create change.”

You too can be a Face of Change.  Click here to donate and support the young people who are finding the courage to make a difference.