Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience
I FIRST MET LEAP as a parent. I took the parenting classes through
LEAP’s Family Resource Center (FRC)—this was many years ago. My daughter Valeria was a student at the Children’s Center at the time. I FIRST MET LEAP as a parent. I took the parenting classes through LEAP’s Family Resource Center wasalso many My LEAP has givenyears me theago. opportunity to further Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with (FRC)—this the FRC asdaughter a health ambassador to help the education. They gave me atime. scholarship so I Valeria was a student at the my Children’s Center at the community. I always like to be able to give them a could take Early Childhood classes. I graduated in hand in whatever I can because LEAP offerswith a lot May 12 units asopportunity an infant teacher. LEAPwith has my alsofirst given me the to further Later during the COVID pandemic I worked of terms of food, thehelp FRCto asfamilies a healthinambassador to counseling help the and my education. They I don’t like when a gave me a scholarship so I classes for parents. I really being community. I always like to be able to give them a could Childhood classes. I love graduated in family take goesEarly through hand in whatever because LEAP offers lot May mythrough. first 12 units as an infant teacher. The pandemic wasI can a very difficult period forame. whatwith I went with the children. of help familiesand in terms of food, I was lefttojobless homeless andcounseling very scaredand It’s why I like working I don’t like when a classes becausefor ofparents. all the talk about COVID. I really love being at LEAP.goes It allows me to help my community. When family through Iwhat haveI helped families and I see that smile and that pandemic was would a very happen difficult period for me.But IThe didn’t know what in the future. went through. with the children. gratitude, I feel happy. I was left give jobless homeless did not up. and I kept fighting.and very scared It’s why I like working because of all the aboutwith COVID. at LEAP.you It allows meall to the helpopportunities my community. Thank LEAP for youWhen have When I finished thetalk project the FRC,OUR I learnedMISSION: Igiven have me. helped families and I see that smile and that ILEAP didn’t know what would aides happen the• Children’s future. But was hiring teaching forin their LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate Partner mitigates the effects of poverty, racism, and trauma gratitude, I feel happy. ICenter. did notI decided give up. Ito kept fighting. apply and got the job! I am PERSONAL STORY BY by providing high-quality, trauma-informed child care, comprehensive, culturally sensitive ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT very happy and I really love being with the children. Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have When I finished the projectfamily with the FRC, I learned support, and visionary community leadership. given me. LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am PERSONAL STORY BY ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT very happy and I really love being with the children.
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