In this episode of the Radio CMC Because of You Podcast, Mariana Velasquez-Schmahl recalls her involvement with the Advocate Safehouse Project, where she met the person who would soon give her the opportunity of a lifetime. She mentions meeting a “wonderful woman” who gave her the opportunity to spearhead the TRIO grant effort. From that one TRIO Grant, Mariana went on to gather key components to come up with the First Ascent Youth Leadership program.

Yesenia Arreola and Mariana also talk about the Alpine Bank Scholarship, and the Latino Youth Summit, as well as Yesenia’s interesting story of how she and Mariana crossed paths.