Adelante Youth Alliance

Great reminders!

Caring for your mental health through acts of self-care can improve quality of life and overall health. Here are 5 ways you can practice self-care and prioritize your mental well-being.

Learn more self-care tips by visiting: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health

May is Mental Health Awareness month! Let's and talk about it.

🧠 Mental health is just as important as physical health, so let's care for our minds together every day.

We're here to support you. Tell us, what topics would you like us to cover? Drop your suggestions below!

Attention High School Seniors!💰Here are a few opportunities that can be worth your time. 💰 Check the Resources page on our website for the direct links.

Have you ever needed a quiet space to study or do homework?

We have the space! Every Wednesday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm we have a quiet space for you to do independent study or ask for help from one of our college interns.

Although drop-ins are welcome, we encourage you to sign up!

https://forms.gle/CUkvTZu8JDy83tDn6

We hope everyone is well and safe from yesterday's rainfall and earthquake.
Although we are really excited to begin our Book Club today we believe it is best to postpone until next Monday.
We hope to see you then!

805 N Madison Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104

We are excited to introduce another one of our afterschool programs with you!
Teen Talk is designed to be a safe space for students to share, listen, and learn. Connect with other students who are going through similar experiences and exchange ideas on how to cope with difficult situations.

Sign up here:
https://adelanteacademy.thinkific.com/courses/teen-talk

*This hour on Zoom is always supervised by an adult.

Happy Friday!
We would like to announce that we will begin our very own Book Club at the Casita!
Our Book Club is intended to introduce young students to the wonderful world of books! If you or someone you know is interested please join us at 805 N Madison Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104
Keep a look out for other amazing programs we will be announcing over the weekend!

If you love food, eating healthy, and gardening join us! Or if you wish to start healthier habits and learn more about gardening you are more than welcome to join our workshop!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/EHLQsYCsaCoxsutb9

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/gk5m1TDegqN7fHoc7

Let's stay connected! Sharing our most recent newsletter
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Stay Connected! Opportunities at Adelante Youth Alliance Our Mission To inspire and educate youth through career exploration, mentorship, and wellness.     WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT At Adelante Youth Alliance, we are o

We are very excited to commence our series Discovering Healthy Choices. Tomorrow is our first of four sessions. Come join us for an hour of captivating discussion around food and healthy habits!

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/5HjDKfe395uLGPt2A

At Adelante Youth Alliance, we are on a mission to inspire and educate young minds, unlocking their potential to build brighter futures. Today, we need your support more than ever.

We are facing a critical situation that threatens the very existence of our organization. To continue providing life-changing opportunities to underserved youth, we aim to raise $150,000 by the end of August.

Your donation can make a world of difference! By contributing to Adelante Youth Alliance, you are investing in the future of our community and helping us create lasting change. Together, we can ensure access to education, mentorship, and the tools needed to thrive.

Please consider making a donation today via PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG to make an impact that will last a lifetime.

Today we're honored to feature Whitney Pulupa.

How did you hear about Adelante?
Past conference advisory board member, Veronica De La Rosa

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?
I’ve been a workshop presenter, committee member, and AML conference chair.

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
Personally, Adelante provided me with the opportunity to give back to our youth in a direct and meaningful way. By interacting with students through workshops and on board committees, I was always left inspired by students’ potential, dreams, and ambition. Professionally, Adelante provided a space for me to connect with professionals across similar and different fields, which has helped grow my network.

What are you doing now in your education or career?
Currently, I am a Management Consultant at EY-Parthenon

Thank you Whitney for your contribution to AYA. Your leadership skills and commitment to volunteering are inspirational.

Our amazing presenter Jorge Martinez, is back to expand our nutrition and physical activity knowledge!
Join us in this in-person workshop where we will share healthy habits, how to grow your own fruits and vegetables, and being physically active.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/1NhLaq6aSf2ms1Pu9

"Where are they now" - a campaign highlighting stories of Adelante alumni.

Adelante Alumni: Sofia B.

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?

When I was a freshman in high school I heard about a Latina lead club on our campus and began joining the meetings during our "brunch period". I went to my first AML conference in 2011 and was completely mind blown. Hundreds of professional, Latina women?! In one place?! SIGN ME UP!!
I took on leadership opportunities within our school club, and in my senior year, I was the proud president of Adelante Mujer Latina. The following year, I applied to be a conference workshop presenter, and I WAS ACCEPTED! I was 18 at the time and the youngest presenter of AML. I presented on the transition from high school to college. I continued to present for school districts, AVID classes, and even nationwide symposiums. Presenting for Adelante Mujer Latina sparked a passion for public speaking that I did not know I had. I started having young girls follow me on social media and express how they wished to be like me when they grew up, I loved knowing that I was giving back to Adelante what it gave to me all those years ago. My last in-person presentation with Adelante was at the 2019 conference, I was 6 months pregnant and wanted to show that you really could do it all!

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
AYA made me feel like I really can accomplish everything I put my mind to. I grew up in an extremely modest home and we were labeled "extremely far below poverty", so never in my life did I think I could attend college. I was also the daughter of immigrants, so getting government aid was out of the picture for me, due to fear. If it had not been for the FASFA presentations I attended, I probably would have been in an immense amount of debt. Because of these presentations, I was able to get a full ride to CSUSB along with a living stipend for all my expenses. Seeing women that not only looked like me but had similar experiences, speaking about college and careers taught me that I am unstoppable. AML introduced me to one of the most amazing women I know, Mrs. Melendez. She is a history teacher and was the advisor for our Adelante Mujer Latina club. She played such an integral role in who I am today, and where I am in life. I don't think she knows this, but she is one of the reasons why I kept public speaking and kept trying to make a difference.

What are you doing now in your education or career?
At the moment, I am a Community Partnerships Manager for an organization that provides services to individuals served by California Regional Centers. Our company motto is "Impacting peoples' life by making a difference every day" and that is truly what I do. I graduated in 2019 with my Bachelor's in Sociology and certification in Gender and Sexuality Studies. I do plan on going back to school once my child begins schooling himself. I do not know exactly what I will return to school for, what I do know is that "Dr. Sofia Benitez" has a really nice ring to it!

We are so proud of you, Sofia!

Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like Sofia's.

Please consider making a donation via PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

"Where are they now" - a campaign highlighting stories of Adelante alumni.

Adelante Alumni: Edith Ocana

How did you hear about Adelante?
I heard about Adelante from my third-grade teacher, who invited me and my mom to the Adelante Mujer Latina conference. We were in awe of all the workshops and were bummed we could only attend three when there were so many amazing and interesting workshops to learn from. After that, I joined the teen committee.

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?
I was part of the teen committee for six years and was co-chair for my final year.

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
Adelante helped me figure out how to write a resume, and gave me information about different fields I would be interested to better help me in my career choice. I originally planned to study to be a veterinarian. However, during my last Adelante meeting, I attended a Disney workshop which I don't quite remember what it was but I know it had to do with communications/art, I talked with the presenters after their last presentation of the day. My mom was at another workshop and came after as I was talking to the three amazing women. One of them had said, she studied to be a veterinarian for a year but didn’t enjoy that career path and ended up switching to a communications major. After our conversation, they helped me decide to attend the University of La Verne to major in television & film broadcasting instead of attending an out-of-state university for veterinary science.

What are you doing now in your education or career?
I have now graduated from the University of La Verne and am interning for LVTV, La Verne television, as well as the ULV Athletics Communications department as the sports photographer. I am taking community college classes to become an American Sign Language Interpreter currently, in hopes to transfer to Cal State University of Northridge. Incorporating American Sign Language and film would be something I would like to experience. After seeing CODA win best picture at the Academy Awards, it made my field of view greater.

We are so proud of you, Edith!

Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like Edith's.

Please consider making a donation via PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

"Where are they now" - a campaign highlighting stories of Adelante alumni.

Adelante Alumni: Alondra Blanco

1.) What's your relationship with Adelante Youth Alliance (AYA)?
I was a member for three years and the co-chair of the teen committee during my final year with Adelante.

2.) How did AYA impact you personally/professionally?
As an introvert by nature, Adelante helped me push myself to become engaged in activities that I would normally want to shy away from. Adelante also taught me the importance of networking to further myself in my career.

3.) What are you doing now in your education or career?
I graduated from CBU with a bachelor's in Environmental Science. With that, I am now an Environmental Planner with Cornerstone Development Company.

We are so proud of you, Alondra! To learn more about what we are currently up to, please visit our website at www.adelanteya.org Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like Alondra's. Please consider making a donation via PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

"Where are they now" - a campaign highlighting stories of Adelante alumni.

Adelante Alumni: Graciela Medina

How did you hear about Adelante?
I became aware of Adelante after coming across a promotional flyer at my son's school, for the inaugural Adelante Young Men's Conference.

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?
Initially, my involvement with Adelante was that of a supportive mother. I attended both the AYM and AML Conferences with my children. My son and daughter later joined the advisory board for teens, while I became a member of the advisory board for both conferences. I contributed to the planning of the annual conferences, with a focus on volunteer engagement.

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
Attending Adelante had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. Initially, my goal was to gain knowledge about college applications and financial aid to support my children in their academic journey. The experience turned out to be much more profound than I had anticipated. The keynote speakers at the conference shared stories of pride, struggles, hope, and perseverance, leaving me feeling incredibly inspired. Adelante exposed me and my family to successful Latinos from various professions that I had never encountered before. As I listened to a young single mother share her story of completing high school and being accepted to MIT, I felt a strong sense of identification and motivation. This was the first time that I had seen someone like myself pursuing a college degree, and it gave me a newfound sense of pride in my heritage. The exposure I received at Adelante helped me develop valuable networking skills and gave me the confidence to return to school to pursue a more challenging career. Representation is important, and Adelante provided me with the opportunity to see myself reflected in successful individuals from my own community.

What are you doing now in your education or career?
Currently, I am pursuing my Executive Master of Public Health at UCLA, building upon my Bachelor of Science in Public Health which I earned from California State University Los Angeles. As the first member of my family to hold a college degree, I am proud of my educational achievements, which also include associate degrees in pre-nursing and behavioral sciences from Pasadena City College.
With over 15 years of experience in healthcare, I have distinguished myself as a compassionate and detail-oriented professional who is passionate about positively impacting the lives of patients and their families. Currently, I am serving my community as a Quality Coordinator within Accreditation and Licensing at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), a premier pediatric teaching and research hospital in Southern California. As a three-time cancer survivor, I am driven by my personal experiences and ongoing commitment to quality healthcare. My commitment to serving my community is unwavering, and I am proud to continue making a positive impact in the healthcare industry and my community.

We are so proud of you, Graciela! To learn more about what we are currently up to, please visit our website at www.adelanteya.org Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like Graciela's. Please consider making a donation via PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

Career Path of a Physical Therapist

Michelle Carreon, grew up in Los Angeles, CA, and is a first gen student. Michelle graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Science and she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of California, San Francisco/San Francisco State University. Michelle was first introduced to the Adelante Mujer Latina organization in High School and has volunteered at their annual conferences. Through the Adelante Mujer Latina organization, she was able to not only meet professionals in her community with similar backgrounds but hear their stories about pursuing higher education which ultimately inspired and motivated her to get to where she is today. Michelle's passions include mentoring first-generation students and inspiring them to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Enroll with the link below!
https://adelanteacademy.thinkific.com/courses/career-path-of-a-physical-therapist

"Where are they now" - a campaign highlighting stories of Adelante alumni.

Adelante Alumni: Julia Zwaal

How did you hear about Adelante?
I discovered the organization through a friend in high school.

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?
I worked on the Teen Committee for 2-3 years.

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
Adelante helped shape how I view the world, networking, and continued education after high school. There is universally experienced turmoil amongst kids in middle-high school where we feel as though we have to have our entire futures figured out before the age of 18. Hearing the stories of various professionals helped me to deconstruct that belief, and has allowed me to be more comfortable pivoting paths as my interests and goals evolved—they are still evolving 4 years into my career!

What are you doing now in your education or career?
I currently work as a Human Capital Consultant at Deloitte, the world’s largest private services firm.

We are so proud of you, Julia! To learn more about what we are currently up to, please visit our website at www.adelanteya.org Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like Julia's. Please consider making a donation via our PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

Meet our workshop presenter for tomorrow!

Margarita Loeza, MD MPH is a graduate of the University of California, School of Medicine at San Diego and attended Occidental College. Dr. Loeza trained at the San Bernardino County Hospital in the department of Family Medicine. During residency, she was Associate Chief Resident. After residency, she returned to the Venice Family Clinic , a Federally Qualified Health Center, where she and her family were once patients. In 2001, Dr. Loeza started as a staff physician at the Venice Family Clinic and is currently the Chief Medical Information Officer at VFC. S. Because she is a social justice proponent, Dr. Loeza volunteers at Homeboy Industries monthly, performing laser tattoo removal on former gang members. She is a mentor to medical and pre-health students. She is also the vice president and co-founder of Alliance in Mentorship and MiMentor to inspire young first-generation students to study medicine. Dr. Loeza is also on the Executive Board of Latino Physicians of California. Dr. Loeza is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, the first in her family to attend college. Dr. Loeza is Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions for Charles R Drew New 4-year MD program.

Enroll for the workshop with the link below:

https://adelanteacademy.thinkific.com/courses/Applying-to-Medical-School

"Where are they now" - a campaign highlighting stories of Adelante alumni.

Adelante Alumni: David Olvera-Sanchez

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?
I was a participant in the 2013 Adelante Young Men's conference. I later returned to the organization immediately after graduating undergrad in 2018 as a volunteer. I had ~6 months in between graduating and moving to NYC to begin working as a management consultant and helped the steering committee secure college reps to participate in the 2018 AYM college fair. I also was one of the student alum keynote speakers.

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
Adelante had a significant impact on my career trajectory. The AYM conference was the first time I felt I saw my career aspirations come to life. At the time, I was contemplating a legal career and this conference connected me with the first Latino judge I had ever met in my life. This programming is invaluable for students to see themselves in future educational and career pathways they may not have ever considered, or ever known that they had a community of supportive mentors that could relate to their background. As a first generation undergraduate student and now soon-to-be graduate student, I am so proud to be part of this program's expanding network of Latino professionals, eager to guide and mentor the next generation of Latino scholars and leaders.

What are you doing now in your education or career?
After graduating from Harvard College in 2018 (BA in Government, minor in Economics), I have spent the past 4.5 years as a management consultant, primarily focused in the healthcare space. In this role, I collaborate with top health insurers, pharmacies, and hospital systems to help address pressing issues such as growth strategy, cost management, operational improvements, etc. In the Fall, I will be moving to Philadelphia to begin pursuing my MBA as a Healthcare Management major in the Wharton School of Business.

We are so proud of you, David! To learn more about what we are currently up to, please visit our website at www.adelanteya.org Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like David's. Please consider making a donation via PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

Barbara Gonzalez is the Manager of Community Health for Dignity CA Hospital Medical Center. She has a Master of Science in Public Health. Ms. Gonzalez will be responsible for ensuring Dignity’s scope of work is completed. She has over 15 years of experience planning and implementing public health and hospital-based programs. Ms. Gonzalez is a strategic communication and organizational development expert with 11 years of experience managing and developing community projects, strategically planning, engaging stakeholders to drive organizational missions forward, and implementation of programs. She has a proven track record of effective networking and community development. She is an excellent bilingual (English/Spanish) motivator, team player, and health educator. She is a proactive and collaborative partner who is passionate about improving the health of our community.

Enroll with the link below

https://adelanteacademy.thinkific.com/courses/improving-health-beyond-our-hospital-walls

"Where are they now" campaign that highlight stories of Adelante alumni. First up...

Adelante Alumni: Erica De La Rosa

In what capacity were you involved with Adelante?
Teen Committee from 2008-2015.

How did Adelante impact you, both personally and professionally?
Adelante helped me to establish my own voice. I was able to grow in my communication and leadership by working side-by-side other Latinas in the planning of the Adelante Mujer Latina conference. It allowed me to establish connections that today, I still utilize for my professional and personal career.

What are you doing now in your education or career?
Legal Specialist in Technical Infrastructure at Google.

To learn more about what we are currently up to, please visit our website at www.adelanteya.org. Your support helps keep our programs running so that we can continue to hear more stories like Erica's. Please consider making a donation via
PayPal: https://lnkd.in/gKK4WpdG

Diana Diaz is a single mother born and raised in East Los Angeles, and she is the daughter of Mexican immigrants that introduced her to the world of street vending.
These intersectionalities inspired her to create Mexichic Crafts, the first chicana luxury leather brand from East Los Angeles. This fashionista activista pays homage to her
cultura with exclusive and colorful designs that inspire alegria. Diana has been interviewed and showcased on Telemundo’s Accesso Total, Un Nuevo Dia and KTLA’s
Unscripted news show.

In 2021, Diana dared to dream big when she founded The Goddess Mercado and The Q***r Mercado Nonprofit Collectives. Its mission is to create safe market spaces for youth to express themselves creatively with the support of the local community and schools.

Enroll with the link below:
https://adelanteacademy.thinkific.com/courses/from-street-vendor-to-ceo

https://www.adelanteya.org/academy