ĢƵ celebrates 20 years of preparing scholars for college success. ĢƵ scholars graduate from college at a rate of from similar socioeconomic situations. Many graduates credit their experience at ĢƵ with completely changing their life trajectory.
Meet Jesus, Ashley, and Krystal, three graduates who succeeded in their college journey and have applied the talents they built during their degree to uplift their communities.
Speaking Up For Those Who Feed Our Communities
Occidental College graduate Jesus Gonzalez-Saucedo credits ĢƵ educators with convincing him that his voice matters. The son of street vendors, Jesus saw the risks associated with making a living that way firsthand. He first poured his passion into public service at ĢƵ when he joined the Junior State of America (JSA) and advocated for legislation decriminalizing street vending. Now, as a college graduate, he uplifts his community by lending and advocating for vendors like his parents to help them break the cycle of poverty. Jesus is a who uses his voice to tell a new story.
Supporting Scholars at ĢƵ
Ashley Fortenberry graduated from , the very first ĢƵ School. Ashley was an early college success story, earning her BA from Mount Saint Mary’s University. She continued on to earn her Master’s degree in Education from Loyola Marymount University. Ashley remembers that ĢƵ stood out to her from other schools through its focus on academics. Her teachers, mentors, and school psychologists created a powerful system of support where she could confidently ask for help when needed. When it was time to apply to college, not only was she guided to apply to a range of colleges, but she also learned how to ask important questions to ensure they were a good fit for her and her family.
ĢƵ’s focus on academics and centering the scholar in a supportive system of teachers, mentors, and school psychologists stood out to Ashley. Now, she serves as ĢƵ’s Manager of Matriculation and Alumni Support. In this role, Ashley builds systems for ĢƵ scholars to have the same sense of a supportive team that she benefited from.
Advocating for Patients
Along with Ashley, Krystal Johnson graduated from . Krystial is one of the many ĢƵ alumni who are the first in their families to earn a college degree, graduating from the University of Southern California. While she was at ĢƵ, Krystal had teachers who recognized her potential and helped her navigate anxiety on her way to becoming a Los Angeles college success story.
Now, Krystal advocates for those with chronic illness injuries. She runs a firm that partners with law firms to secure disability services. Krystal ensures patients are getting the coverage and support they deserve.
Igniting ĢƵ Scholar Pride
Krystal, Ashley, and Jesus are inspiring examples of an ĢƵ Scholar’s identity as a Not only did they beat the odds to successfully graduate from college, but they have continued to passionately support their communities through passionate advocacy work. They all were shaped by the educators who saw their potential and believed in them. Now they pass those benefits on to the scholars, vendors, and patients that they serve every day.