My name is Lucero, and I graduated from Girls Inc. of San Diego County in 2018. I am now attending Palomar College and am majoring in Human Development with an emphasis in counseling services. I would like to share my Girls Inc. journey and how, in a lot of ways, it has led me to where I am today.
I’m also asking for your help, so other girls can receive the amazing support of Girls Inc. of San Diego County.
I was born in the state of Queretaro, Mexico and came to the United States in 2005 with my family to pursue an education and live the American Dream. My first language is Spanish and began learning English when I started school in kindergarten, l
earning a new language came easy to me because I had the support of my family and parents. One of my greatest role models is my mom, she has always showed me the importance of helping people and I knew at a young age that in my heart I always wanted to help people too.
I remember when I first joined Girls Inc. my sophomore year of high school, I felt an instant connection with my mentor, Rosa. She made me feel like I could express myself and I felt empowered being part of Girls Inc. of San Diego County because it was a space just for girls.
The Mind + Body program is one that really stuck with me. I am part of a community that does not talk about healthy food choices and mental health. Mind + Body gave me a space where I could talk about my diagnosed depression without feeling judged.
I learned in Girls Inc. of San Diego County that it was OK for me to seek help and resources from my community when I needed them. Now, that I am working two jobs and going to school I have the confidence to seek the resources I would have avoided had I not participated in Girls Inc. in high school.
I also participated in the Girls Inc. “College Bound, Job Ready” program. There I got help writing a resume and practicing interview skills. These were things I had never done before.
My first semester at Palomar College inspired me to pursue the field of human development. I started as a business major because I thought it was expected of me, but after doing my research, meeting with other counselors and meeting with my Girls Inc. mentor, Rosa, I knew that pursuing counseling was a good fit for me. It was a blessing that even after I already graduated from high school and the Girls Inc. program, Rosa was still available to hear my troubles and ask me questions that helped me make my decision.
Girls Inc. was somewhere I could go to share my struggles and feel understood. I am in my second year of college and have taken these skills so that I can give back to my community as well.
Thanks to your past contributions, I was able to participate in Girls Inc. of San Diego County programs at no cost. That experience helped me get to where I am today.
I ask you, please consider giving a contribution to Girls Inc. of San Diego County at www.girlsincsd.org/donate. Other girls right here in San Diego need help, and you can give today online to make that happen.
Thank you for your consideration and for championing girls just like me!
Regards,
Lucero