SUCCESS STORIES:
HIGHER EDUCATION MENTORING PROGRAM

From obstacles such as a broken family and her parents’ painful divorce, a brother involved in a gang, and financial hardships to college graduate and mentor, Project Youth OCBF turned Zaira’s dangerous life into a bright future helping others. “The program helped me focus on maintaining good grades, taking rigorous courses, and finding volunteer opportunities, in order to be able to achieve my goal to attend college. The four-year renewable college scholarship was key to me graduating from Cal State Fullerton."

From struggling to put food on the table to a full ride at Harvard, the Higher Education Mentoring Program paved Noemi’s way to a life she once dreamed about. “My parents attended school up to the 6th and 8th grades in Mexico. Because of their education, their job opportunities have been limited and the college admissions process was a mystery, until the program helped us. When people now ask me how I'm doing, I reply 'Living my Dream.'"

“I graduated from Century High School and will be attending the University of California, Irvine with a major in dance and a second major in business. After college, I plan to become a backup dancer for artist like Lady Gaga or Beyoncé. I also plan to return to my community and teach dance. One day I would like to open my own dance studio and offer scholarships to low-income students so they can also afford a high-quality training.  The resources this program has given me, I realized that I am capable of anything."