INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Youth Guidance is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Felix L Cruz as their new Executive Director. Mr. Cruz served in a supervisory capacity with Youth Guidance in 2014/15, initiating and overseeing the innovative YG Mentoring Academy. Felix served as Vice President and Chief Development Officer for 20 years at ASPIRA of Florida, a Miami Based Youth Development non-profit that is part of a national association.
He also served in higher education as a TRIO professional at Palm Beach State College and in Eastern Florida State College, and as an administrator for the School District of Broward County, where he led their Safe and Drug Free Schools & Communities initiatives.
Faced with the prospects of continuing in a troubled, poverty-stricken life that began in rural Puerto Rico and persisted in the slums of Newark, NJ, Felix followed the valuable advice of a trusted mentor and pursued education as his vehicle to success. It was this experience that led him to a career that values mentoring and youth guidance.
He received a Master’s Degree from Florida International University in Miami and a BA Degree from Rutgers University, NJ.
Upon his graduation from Rutgers, he immediately entered the youth services profession and continues to develop and promote educational services and leadership development opportunities for disadvantaged youth.
He is a proud Indian River County resident who lives in Sebastian with his wife, Elva, and his lovable miniature dachshund, Coco.
