My goal entering the Leaders in Training program was to receive the help I knew I couldn’t get at home,” Alejandra begins. “At the time, I really wanted to leave out-of-state for college, and I had no support from my parents.”
A first-generation student, she carried the weight of her academic aspirations on her own shoulders, determined to overcome any financial barriers in her path. “I knew entering Leaders in Training would help me find the scholarship opportunities I needed to walk into a university with no financial barriers.”
Guided by a supportive friend who recognized her struggles, she found solace and empowerment within the program. “My parents have always supported my dreams of being the first to graduate in the family, but coming from two individuals who don’t speak English, they were limited on what they could do for me. Leaders in Training empowered me to continue my path to get into college and showed me how to value being a first-generation student.”
With the aid of United Way of Southern Nevada and Leaders in Training, she achieved her dream, graduating from UNLV with zero debt. “They helped me write my personal statement/resume and really find the scholarships that supported my passions. When I was in the program, I learned how to use my voice, and I carried that trait with me throughout my journey in college.”
United Way’s support for Leaders in Training is vital, acknowledging the significance of providing opportunities for the community. “United Way understands the need for the help this organization brings to this community, and that is why I never left. My life has improved in many ways based on the many opportunities I have received since I became an alumni member of the program.”
Now, she has come full circle, working for Leaders in Training, driven by her unwavering belief in the program’s transformative influence. “I started as a member of the high school program at a time when LIT did not have a lot of resources, and it has been a pleasure to see it grow to what it is now. Now that I am part of the staff, I am learning a lot about how nonprofits work and why they are so significant to our community.”
The program continues to support her aspirations, nurturing her ambition to become a lawyer and introducing her to a network of inspiring attorneys. This is just one of the many ways your support for United Way of Southern Nevada can make a lasting difference in our community.