Stories
Voices of opportunity
Powerful, first-hand stories and personal reflections from the front lines of the Opportunity Movement.
Featured stories
Everybody has a story to tell.
Here are just a few of our current favorites.
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The Power of Persistence and Mentorship with Maygan Hooper
Meet Maygan Hooper: a Year Up Los Angeles graduate who took a new approach to achieving her dreams and currently works at Sony Interactive Entertainment.
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Year Up Alumni Community Reflection: Thai Nguyen
Introducing Thai Nguyen: a community leader and a proud Year Up graduate from Tampa Bay. Thai has not only found success in the professional realm at JPMorgan Chase, but he has also leveraged his alumni status to make meaningful contributions through the Year Up community and beyond. Since completing the Year Up program, Thai has been a peer mentor, a volunteer, and he’s also become a homeowner — emphasizing the profound positive impact, not only on his own life but also on the lives of others. His advice to future Year Up students? Thai advocates for investing in one's future, and in experiences that pave the way to a brighter and more successful tomorrow.
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Tatiana Beltre and Sakara Sharp's Journey from Year Up to Success at Bank of America
Meet Tatiana Beltre and Sakara Sharp. The two Year Up alumnae have achieved noteworthy milestones – both personal and professional – since graduating from the Year Up program. Today, they work full time at Bank of America, a Year Up partner since 2007. In this Q&A, we learn about some of those achievements, as well as the advice they have for those interested in following in their footsteps.
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Blanca Gonzalez’s Leap into a Project Management Career
The Year Up National Capital Region graduate now works as a Business IT Analyst at
Exelon Corporation, the nation’s leading competitive energy provider.
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Sigifredo Huerta: Lessons for a Lifetime
The Year Up Chicago graduate carries with him lessons learned at Year Up and in life.
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River Veloz: an Alumnus in Action
The Year Up New York | New Jersey graduate continues to lift while he climbs by giving back to his community using the Alumni ACTion grants.
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