Ten Teens, Ten Stories: Balancing Jobs, High School And The Pandemic (LA List)

Karen Clemmer 6/28/205:58 PM

By Kyle Stokes, June 26, 2020, LA List.

Manuel de Jesus Cruz's mom got a call from his high school, wondering where her son had been, and why he hadn't been turning in homework.

Manuel had been at work — and he was missing assignments because he was exhausted. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Manuel went from working just a shift or two at In-N-Out Burger to requesting a full 30 hours a week. After clocking off each day, he couldn't muster the energy for his online coursework.

After the phone call, Manuel's mom asked gently what was going on. At that moment, the Venice High School senior broke down crying.

"Mom, are you okay?" he recalled asking her tearfully. "Are we okay, financially?"

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