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.

Gaelle Akaliza Lands at the Company that Captured Her Heart and Reshaped Her Career

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From Part-Time Jobs to Program Manager: Celia Soriano's Path to Success at Workday

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How Year Up United Helped Judah Valerie Launch His Tech Career

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Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency

Year Up United earned a 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid, the highest level, which demonstrates our commitment to transparency, so our community can support our work with trust and confidence.
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Greater Philadelphia

Alumni

Carnel Harley: Energy, transformed

Through Year Up’s Accelerated Model, Carnel is quickly starting his work-based experience in IT and stepping into his dream of a career in tech.
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Puget Sound

Alumni

Hardship and Hard Work Lead Nico Cargo to Microsoft

Sophocles said, “there is no success without hardship.”
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Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator has rated Year Up United a four-star charity over 15 times, placing us in the top 1% of tracked organizations.
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