'08-'09 corps member, '09-'10 service leader

I was born in Texas and raised in Puerto Rico. I have been in Philadelphia for 3 years. I attended public schools in Puerto Rico and completed 1 year of college in Universidad del Turabo for early childhood education K-3. In 2005, I was hired by Norris Square Children Center, where I worked as an assistant teacher. Working with children was the best for me, to see how they learn and grow knowledge was so exciting. I worked as an assistant teacher for almost 2 years and decided to further my education so I attended Orleans Technical Institute where I received a certificate on Residential and Commercial electrician. It was a challenge for me because I did not know anything about electricity plus I was the only girl in the classroom. But I was hungry for success and I focused on what I had to learn.

As a single mother, it was hard for me to provide for my children so I worked during the day and went to school at night. I graduated from Orleans Technical Institute in April 2008, finally I got there; it was difficult but not impossible. My spirit made me keep going. After I graduated I was looking for jobs everywhere but because of the economy most of the companies were not hiring or laying off. I attended many job fairs and finally found City Year Greater Philadelphia and asked, ‘what’s City Year?’

WOW, I was surprised and wondered where was City Year when I was in high school, unfortunately we don’t have City Year in Puerto Rico. That’s why immediately after finding out what City Year was, I said to myself, I’m going to give back to my people and community. It’s great to see that we can make a difference in youth’s lives and also make a difference in our community.

Yvette, 24, SEI team at Mastbaum AVTS High School