Project GRAD Los Angeles

To our community, It has been an immense privilege to have worked with you for the past 21 years. Our work as a community is not finished. Our legacy and tradition of guiding future generations towards their dreams now lies with you. We count on you to continue to inspire students and transform lives. We’ll see you around #projectgradla... Follow @PGLAalumni to keep up to date with resources, opportunities, and news. @ Project GRAD Los Angeles See more

Our last #ThrowbackThursday goes to the 2009 PGLA Scholarship Celebration at the Odyssey Restaurant! Let us know if you recognize anyone #projectgradla #classof2009

Join the PGLA Alumni Network on LinkedIn! Keep connected with the PGLA Alumni community by connecting with each other, sharing resources, or promoting your work amongst our community. Link to join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13888343/

The San Fernando High School Alumni Association would like to thank Ford Roosevelt and everyone at Project GRAD Los Angeles for the impact they made on thousands of students' lives over the last 20+ years.

"’Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves: Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking, so that others won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not ...just in some of us: it's in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’ - Nelson Mandela. Continue to let your light shine brightly. It has been an honor to serve you all. - Juan Henriquez, PGLA College Advisor #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

It is hard to put into words the memories, experiences, and friendships that have been made being a part of Project GRAD Los Angeles. When I first joined PGLA in 2011, I was excited about the opportunity that was about to come my way but extremely scared and worried about messing up a student’s future. All I wanted was to hopefully guide and help at least one student to realize that no obstacle, or person should stop you from doing what you love. Little did I know the revers...e would happen, and the students who I sought to advise and guide would ultimately do that for me. I want to first and foremost thank the schools and community for welcoming me so warmly and making San Fernando feel like home. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing staff at San Fernando High School (among so many others). Secondly, I want to thank the amazing PGLA team. Your belief in me as an Advisor and your thoughtful mentorship pushed me to realize that going back to school to become a counselor is something that I don’t need to do, but want to do. Third, I would like to thank the families who I partnered with over the past years. Thank you for entrusting me to help guide and advise your children. Last, but certainly not least, my caring, ambitious, and hardworking students. Words cannot express how much every single one of you has meant to me. My growth as not only a person but as a professional has been because of all of you. I do have to give a special shout out to my very first graduating class, the class of 2017. You will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know many of you I will continue to be close with for years to come. Thank you again PGLA for allowing me to have this life-changing experience. I am forever going to be grateful for this memorable ride! - Garrett Arii, PGLA College Advisor #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

Project GRAD Los Angeles means many things to me. I’ve been a PGLA Scholar since the program began in 1999. It was the first program that introduced me to college as a young elementary school student. It was my first big girl job after receiving my college degree. But ultimately, PGLA was an organization within my community that allowed me to feel reflected, represented, and seen as a first-generation Latinx scholar. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to bel...ong to and empower my Northeast San Fernando Valley community through PGLA. One of my greatest privileges has been to work with my amazing students and families as their PGLA advisor. My biggest regret is not taking more pictures throughout it all, as most of my cherished memories include: being the captain of the 2x championship kickball team at Cal Lutheran Summer 2017, being the unofficial master of ceremonies for the CSS Celebrations, the many celebrations leading to graduations, and especially, the moments during our 1:1s when we made genuine connections. I am incredibly lucky for you to have confided in me and allowing me to be a small footprint in your journey to success. Thank you for your unwavering love, patience, and compassion. I promise this is not a goodbye; I will continue to hype you up whenever you need it and am looking forward to banging my cazuelas at your college graduations. Lastly, thank you to every single person on the PGLA team (past and present) in guiding me along the way to become who I am today. I am thankful for my teammates who have helped me grow tremendously in the past year and supported me in navigating my way back to higher education. I am proud to have worked alongside you for this mission that means so much to us. It’s been hard to process that PGLA will no longer serve as a resource to our community. However, I am hopeful that we will find a way to protect PGLA’s legacy and pass on the torch to future generations. Our community is powerful beyond measure. - Andreina (Andy) Gomez, PGLA College Advisor #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost

As the Development Director, I rarely had the opportunity to work directly with our students. My focus was on working with our Administrative Team and community members to raise funds for Project GRAD. A big part of that was also working with our staff, who are some of the most compassionate, dedicated, creative, and professional people I've ever had the privilege of knowing. Each year, our staff was asked to create new and responsive programming for our students (sometimes ...on a shoestring budget), and, without fail they came up with innovative, inclusive, and exciting programs that provided all students with knowledge, experiences, and a strong "safety net" and road map for exploring their futures and fulfilling their dreams. Our Advisors truly loved their students, and, even during the past few years when funding became an issue, our team made sure that every student who wanted to go to college received all the advice, support, access to resources, and yes, love that we could give them. It has truly been my honor to be a part of this incredible organization." Laurie Miller, PGLA Development Director #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

Project GRAD Los Angeles (PGLA) became part of my life back in 2000 when I was a ninth grader at San Fernando High School. This organization is one of the reasons I’ve made it this far within my educational journey. As one of the first members of the Peer Leadership Program, I learned to step out of my comfort zone and advocate for myself. Something that became crucial in my undergraduate years and until this day. I remember the summer institutes and college field trips. All... great memories as a PGLA Scholar and even more as a College Advisor! In 2012, I officially became part of the PGLA team and began my counseling career. These past 8.5 years have been an incredible blessing as I’ve grown personally and professionally. It’s with immense gratitude that I want to thank all the students I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey as you embarked as a high school and/or college student. You’ve taught me so much about being persistent, patient, loving, caring, empathetic, resilient, tenacious, and the list goes on. It’s because of you that my passion for education grows everyday! I believe in every single one of you and I am proud of how far you’ve come and will continue to go with accomplishing your goals! To the families of our PGLA students, thank you for trusting us in helping guide your child(ren) and for your support! A las familias de nuestros estudiantes, muchas gracias por su confianza en ayudar a su hija(s)/hijo(s) y por su apoyo! To my colleagues, thank you for all your support and love throughout the years. It’s been a blessing working alongside a team that is always there to challenge you and support you. My heart aches knowing that PGLA will no longer exist because it’s an organization that helped many students within our community. Remember to always cherish the wonderful memories you’ve created along with everything you’ve learned during your time with PGLA. Those skills you’ve gained will forever be with you! Sending many blessings and love to all of you! ¡Un fuerte abrazo! - Dra. Maricela Gallegos, PGLA College Counselor #ThankYouPGLA @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

I was a PGLA scholar from 2003-2007. Soon after, I came on board as an intern and eventually became the Finance & HR Manager. During my time at PGLA, I got to work with amazing people who were dedicated to their community, and bringing system change. I am grateful to have been a product of that hard work, and that I was able to give back to the lives of hundreds of kids. PGLA truly changed lives, and for that I will always be proud. (The first photo is of Ernie, Jose, and m...yself. That was us at one of my first big events, back in 2010. I loved being on the intern team, working with the guys was great, we always had fun while working, and I learned a lot. I always look back at this time as one of my favorite periods at PGLA. The second photo is of the Finance team. Once I moved on from being an intern, I became a permanent staff member. Working with Amara and Selam showed me what it took to handle the budget and operations of an organization. We worked great together, constantly pushing ourselves beyond our limits, and helping each other grow personally and professionally.) - Julisa Chavez, PGLA Finance & HR Manager #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

I am Blessed, I always say that raising my 3 children is the best and most rewarding thing I have or will ever do. 17 years of working for PGLA it has allowed me to sort-of adopt more, and more, and more children (my students). I’ve watched some of my students grow up starting at Osceola Elementary where I started and continued into middle schools and for the past 8 years advising San Fernando Senior High and college students. My motherly advisement style has given me nickn...ames that always give me great joy and pride. Whether you call me Mrs. Trish, Momma Trish, or your second mom. I love it! To my students past and present, thank you for my nicknames they are frequent reminders to me that what I do and how I do it matters! Hundreds of text and email messages from my students, a student self portrait, a beautiful watercolor of a hummingbird, post its left on my desk to just say hi, cards, a bamboo plant, candy, candles, pictures; graduation, prom, homecoming, quinceañeras. These gifts remind me that it wasn’t a dream. I really do have many, many, many, children. My children are all grown up now and so are my students. It truly does take a village. I have had the pleasure of working with some outstanding coworkers everyone of this just as dedicated and caring and I learned from every one of them how to be a better advisor. Thank you for being part of that village PGLA staff. Thank you parents for entrusting me with your children they have all been such a big blessing to me. I take my blessings in my heart and give you all a big spiritual motherly embrace. My role as an Advisor with PGLA has come to an end but my role, as Momma Trish will be forever. - Patricia Raygoza, PGLA College Advisor #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

Project GRAD has meant so much to me; I have grown as a professional and learned so much from the PGLA family. It’s crazy to think that 12 years have gone by, I remember my first job was to work with college students and manage a scholarship program and now I have had the pleasure of seeing those same college students graduate college and become working professionals! As my roles changed, I not only got to be part of the San Fernando High School community but also served Syl...mar High School. The relationships with high school students always made the job so much fun. It has been a pleasure serving the NE SF community. I will miss it, greatly. I am thankful I got to meet so many amazing coworkers throughout the years and to have been part of a hard-working team who, always, went above and beyond for students. I have great memories to take with me. Thank you PGLA Diana Grijalva, PGLA Counselor & Program Manager #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

Where did the time go? Just yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining you on your hard working journey to pursuing a higher education or career path. Today, I am proud to recognize all of your achievements, and hold you all with high regards. These pictures spike some of my most memorable moments, and although I couldn’t capture every shining moment, they are forever treasured. I would like to thank each and every one of you for allowing me to be a part of your academic growt...h. You have performed beyond my wildest expectations and are prepared to take on anything. Although PGLA will be closing its doors, this isn’t my farewell sign off. I look forward to hearing from you, whether you need help or you simply want to update me about your next life milestone. It’s only the beginning Delga Godinez, PGLA College Advisor #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles

Thank you PGLA for all the love, support, and most importantly all the individual people I have met these last 10 years. My career started with PGLA and during this time I also fell in love, got married, and had my baby girl. I will always be grateful to all the students I met and for letting me be part of their lives. I hope I have instilled love and appreciation of oneself and that they can do anything they set their mind to. Thank you to my PGLA family for celebrating all... my life milestones and for always being there for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I started with PGLA as the second graduating class when I went and graduated from SFHS and I am sad that I won't continue to help our students in the northeast valley as a team member, but I am grateful for all that I gained from them. - Eliana Cuentas, PGLA Counselor & Program Manager #ThankYouPGLA We are sharing stories this week to say #ThankYouPGLA If you would like to share your story, please tag or DM us so we may repost @ Project GRAD Los Angeles