During the summer of 2014, I was enrolled in a Theatre class at UCSB where I and a few other students were "mentors" to a group of youth that were members of the St. George Youth Center in Isla Vista (the at the time, Isla Vista Teen Center). For the youth, they were attending a yearly theater summer camp at UCSB, known to them as "Nuestra Voz" (Our Voice). We mentored the youth in writing, editing, directing, performing and ultimately starring in their own creative works. I was but a proud mama bear watching her young take the stage. I watched every single one of them light up with joy during and after their performances (despite them dragging their feet to UCSB every morning at 8:30am for the 4 weeks of the program haha) At the end of their final performance, where they performed for their friends, family, and community, I cried, somehow knowing that my life had changed forever. I had gone through my first few years at college not having known about the youth that lived in our community. I remember thinking "What? There are kids here?" Then after Nuestra Voz, I knew I had to remain in contact with the youth as I fell in love with each and every single one of them. Not one week went by when I had applied, interviewed and obtained my new role as a Student Staff Mentor with the St. George Youth Center (SGYC).  In 2016, I transitioned into the Program Coordinator role at SGYC where I continued to support and advocate for and learn from the youth. One of the focal projects of these years was an amazing feat of the youth. Together, with the support of various Isla Vista Community partners, and with the drive and determination of the youth, they reclaimed their voices in IV with a campaign they created called, "I'm A Student, Too!" With this campaign, they presented at college classes, town halls, community conferences, changed UCSB Freshman orientation, painted murals in local parks, and many more. In 2018, I transitioned into SGYC's Special Projects Leader, continuing to support with internal and external community events such as our Annual Haunted House and Annual Santa Night, where I supported youth in developing, planning, and executing fabulous events for their peers, families and overall community. Also in 2018, I took on a new role for My Home, as the Property Manager of a new pilot transitional living program that I like to remember as My Home on the Mesa, where we provided low income housing to 3 students ages 18-24. It was an amazing opportunity that while cut in mid-2019, is still an experience I look back on with joy. During the years of 2019-2020, I remained SGYC's Special Projects Leader, continuing to support in various ways. The year 2020 was its own beast, shifting and reframing how I currently view the world. However, it is because of that shift that as of August 2020, I became the Support and Outreach Services Program Coordinator for YFS. Since then, through our drop-in center at Noah’s Anchorage and via Street Outreach, I have been and currently am able to support youth ages 24 and younger that are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and/or in crisis. We provide resources such as basic needs services (daily meals, hygiene kits, supply items, laundry, etc), case management (building independent living skills, support with employment, education, housing, budgeting, etc) and many more. And I have to say, I am humbled and so, so grateful for all of the many experiences I have had with YFS. I have been learning and growing with the Youth and Family Services family for 7 years and am proud to say that it is truly an honor to be a part of a wonderful team that serves youth and families in our community.