SESLOC Spotlight highlights local organizations that make the Central Coast so incredible.
Battling a life-threatening illness is devastating and draining, which is why 17 Strong is dedicated to providing Victory Trips to recovering young adults. Victory Trips allow the recipient to fulfill a lifelong dream. Steven Teixeira, co-founder, explains how the local nonprofit supports hope and recovery:
17 Strong
Industry: Nonprofit
Serving the Central Coast since: 2016
How many employees? 1.5
How many volunteers? 30+
What’s your mission? We grant Victory Trips to young adults (ages 18-40) that have battled a life-threatening illness.
What’s unique about 17 Strong? We serve the forgotten age group — most people think that cancer is a kid’s or “old” person’s disease, but it’s not! The age group we serve are in the middle of starting a life, college, marriage, kids, career, etc. They have to put life on hold to fight for their life, and 17 Strong gives them something to look forward to.
What do you attribute to your success? Our son’s legacy! It was Ryan’s goal to make sure that anyone that went through the “hell” of treatment that he went through deserved something to look forward to. Ryan felt that no young adult should be left behind.
What advice would you give someone interested in supporting your mission? Victory Trips are more than a trip. We provide a respite and recovery time for these individuals, offering them the opportunity to start their life renewed and refreshed. Please visit our website for more information and to donate: www.17strong.org
