Across the state of Nevada, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) families are working hard to pay their bills, make an earnest living, and send their children off to college.

From East Las Vegas to Henderson Nevada, I’ve seen the hard work of many AAPI families. For me, I’ve seen my mother and father work hard to support our family in a new country, survive the 2008 Great Recession, and save up every dollar to send my brother and I to college.

But for many families, they are still struggling. For newly immigrated AAPI’s in the Las Vegas Valley, college can be a tough reality.

This month, I spoke to a classroom full of young Filipino-American students. They asked me about the rising cost of college tuition, the limited amount of scholarships, and my experiences as the youngest Filipino-American running for office this year.

What I told them is what I tell many people who often tell me to back down from my dreams: We have people at home that we need to make proud.

On most days, it’s my mother, who is a teacher in the Clark County School District. She is one of hundreds of Filipino-Americans teachers who give back to our community, and teach our children.

On some occasions, it’s my mentees – who are young people, just like me, who want to give back to our community.

When we say: the young people are our future. Yes, they are. But, we need to help them in their journey.

That’s why I’m running for office as the youngest Filipino-American in Nevada history. From my work as Chairman of the Nevada Commission on Mentoring, I successfully advocated for $50K to return back to our commission to grant out to non-profits. As a former staff member to the U.S. Congress, I helped veterans, immigrants, and seniors to assist them with government resources. When I worked in the federal government, I also helped expand internship opportunities to support our youth.

I grew up in this community – born and raised. I’ve seen what this community has provided me: from opportunities to new experiences. Now, I want to give back to make sure every student, who goes through our system of higher education, gets an affordable, accessible college degree.

Because, after all, our future is just right around the corner.

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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Karl Catarata is a candidate for the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents – District 6, which includes areas of Henderson, East Las Vegas, and Anthem. He is a long-time youth advocate in Southern Nevada, and is Chairman of the Nevada Commission on Mentoring. On file, he is the youngest Filipino-American to run for statewide office in Nevada Asian American Pacific Islander history. Learn more about his campaign at VoteCatarata.com.