Program Details

Edgar Gonzalez knows what it means to grow up with limited options. As a first-generation college student raised in an area marked by deep poverty, Edgar and his family relied on SNAP benefits to make ends meet. Looking for a job was a challenge, not because he lacked motivation, but because he couldn’t afford to travel beyond his neighborhood to find work. 

When Edgar joined our youth internship program, he was looking for more than a paycheck; he needed a pathway forward. Through the program, he received hands-on job training, personal support, and access to resources that helped cover transportation. That support made all the difference.

Edgar was able to take on a real work opportunity, earn income, and build some stability as he prepared for his first year of college. Now, Edgar is officially a college student. The money he earned helped him make that transition, and the experience gave him the confidence to take that next big step.

He’s working toward becoming a high school teacher who can return to communities like his and help guide the next generation of students who might be growing up with the same challenges he faced. Edgar’s story is proof that with the right support, young people can break through the barriers in front of them and build a better future, not just for themselves but also for their communities.