LEAP, 2/29/24, Vol. 38

Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience

Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience

I did not give up. I kept fighting.

I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

OUR MISSION:

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up. I kept fighting.

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

Leapcentralcoast.org

what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

with the children.

gratitude, I feel happy. Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate • Partner mitigates the e ects of poverty, racism, and trauma by providing high-quality, trauma-informed child care, comprehensive, culturally sensitive family support, and visionary community leadership.

PERSONAL STORY BY ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

PERSONAL STORY BY ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience

ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

ROOTED IN ISLA VISTA,

PERSONAL STORY BY

NURTURING CENTRAL COAST FAMILIES

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further

A NURTURING PLACE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS

LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned

I did not give up. I kept fighting.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But

I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents. The pandemic was a very difficult period for me.

In 2023, Isla Vista Youth Projects became LEAP: Learn • Engage • Advocate • Partner. Over the years, our work has expanded from Isla Vista to serve children and families across Santa Barbara County. But, our purpose remains the same. With our new name, we open the possibility of sharing our expertise, our deep commitment to children and family well-being, wherever it is most needed.

community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot

daughter Valeria was a student at the Children’s Center at the time.

I FIRST MET LE A P 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.

LEAP’s Family Resource Center (FRC)—this was many years ago. My

We are honored to be trusted with caring for the next generation at our Children’s Center. Our students play, dance, learn to regulate their emotions, and hone their language skills. We provide a joyful, nurturing environment for babies and toddlers so they will succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

as a parent. I took the parenting classes through

Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with the FRC as a health ambassador to help the community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents.

The pandemic was a very difficult period for me. I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up. I kept fighting.

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

I really love being with the children.

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

PERSONAL STORY BY

At LEAP, we work closely with families in order to break the cycle of poverty. We do so by helping them meet basic needs—like access to nutritious food and diapers for their children. Our clientcentered and joyful approach ensures parents and children have the resources they need to thrive.

ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER

ASSISTANT

Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience

53 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY

PERSONAL STORY BY ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

SINCE 2020:

I really love being with the children.

I don’t like when a family goes through what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When

51,597 services to our community

6,113 clients served

2,300 families received groceries

LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further my education. They gave me a scholarship so I could take Early Childhood classes. I graduated in May with my first 12 units as an infant teacher.

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

I did not give up. I kept fighting.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But

rI was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents. The pandemic was a very difficult period for me.

ALEJANDRA’S JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE

Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with the FRC as a health ambassador to help the community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot

Alejandra first met LEAP as a parent while her daughter attended the Children’s Center. So years later when life got hard, she knew where to turn for help.

daughter Valeria was a student at the Children’s Center at the time.

I FIRST MET LE A P 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.

180,977 diapers helped keep babies dry and healthy

I FIRST MET LE A P as a parent. I took the parenting classes through LEAP’s Family Resource Center (FRC)—this was many years ago. My

201 caregivers attended our free parenting workshops

SERVICES OFFERED

· Childcare

· Diaper Bank

Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with the FRC as a health ambassador to help the community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents.

· Emergency Food Pantry

· Monthly Nutritious Food Distribution

· CalFresh and Medi-Cal enrollment

· Immigration Support

· IEP Support

· School Advocacy

· Resume Building

The pandemic was a very difficult period for me. I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

· Unemployment Support

· Vaccination Support …and more!

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up. I kept fighting.

COMMUNITY CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:

· Crianza con Carino Parenting Workshops

· Know Your Rights Immigration Webinars

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

· Financial Literacy Classes

…and more!

“The pandemic was a very di icult period for me. I was le jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID. I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up,” said Alejandra.

LEAP ensured she had food for her children and the support she needed to get back on her feet. Alejandra joined LEAP as a health ambassador to help the other families facing similar challenges during the pandemic.

“LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further my education. They gave me a scholarship so I could take Early Childhood classes,” Alejandra shared.

I really love being with the children.

LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further my education. They gave me a scholarship so I could take Early Childhood classes. I graduated in May with my first 12 units as an infant teacher. I don’t like when a family goes through what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

Today, Alejandra is a dedicated Teacher at LEAP’s Children’s Center, providing caring support for children and their families.

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

PERSONAL STORY BY ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

“When I have helped families and see them smile, I feel happy.”

ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

PERSONAL STORY BY

Alejandra’s Journey of Resilience

ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

PERSONAL STORY BY

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have given me.

I really love being with the children.

I don’t like when a family goes through what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

I really love being with the children.

I don’t like when a family goes through what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further my education. They gave me a scholarship so I could take Early Childhood classes. I graduated in May with my first 12 units as an infant teacher.

LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further my education. They gave me a scholarship so I could take Early Childhood classes. I graduated in May with my first 12 units as an infant teacher.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up. I kept fighting.

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up. I kept fighting.

To give today, visit: leapcentralcoast.org/donate

I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

diapers or food

Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with the FRC as a health ambassador to help the community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents. The pandemic was a very difficult period for me.

I FIRST MET LE A P 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.

Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with the FRC as a health ambassador to help the community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents. The pandemic was a very difficult period for me.

@leapcentralcoast

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 LE A P 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.

Later during the COVID pandemic I worked with the FRC as a health ambassador to help the community. I always like to be able to give them a hand in whatever I can because LEAP offers a lot of help to families in terms of food, counseling and classes for parents.

The pandemic was a very difficult period for me. I was left jobless and homeless and very scared because of all the talk about COVID.

I didn’t know what would happen in the future. But I did not give up. I kept fighting.

When I finished the project with the FRC, I learned LEAP was hiring teaching aides for their Children’s Center. I decided to apply and got the job! I am very happy and I really love being with the children.

LEAP has also given me the opportunity to further my education. They gave me a scholarship so I could take Early Childhood classes. I graduated in May with my first 12 units as an infant teacher.

I don’t like when a family goes through what I went through. It’s why I like working at LEAP. It allows me to help my community. When I have helped families and I see that smile and that gratitude, I feel happy.

I really love being with the children.

Thank you LEAP for all the opportunities you have

ALEJANDRA GARCIA, TEACHER ASSISTANT