In the Spotlight

Prom Dreams Alumna Letisia Alvarado is Living Her Dream of Helping Others

Almost 16 years ago, I was one of the recipients of the 2006 Prom Dreams Program. A lot has happened since then.

After graduating as the Class of 2006 Valedictorian of Thomas Jefferson High School, I went to the University of California, Berkeley. In 2010, I graduated as double major in Psychology and Social Welfare. My studies and volunteer work at UC Berkeley only solidified my personal and professional goal to come back home and give back to my community of South Los Angeles.

During my studies, one of the professions that appealed to me the most was of a social worker. So, I decided to earn my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California, in which my concentration was Mental Health with a sub-concentration in School Social Work.

Soon after graduation, I joined the Latino Alumni Advisory Board for the USC School of Social Work and remained on the Board for ten years. For the last four years, I served as the Co-Chair of the Board, and truly enjoyed supporting the school, students, alumni, and community.

In addition, I am happy to report that this is now my eight-year working for Los Angeles Unified School District serving the students and their families in Los Angeles. I had the honor and privilege of being a counselor for my alma mater Thomas Jefferson High School. Currently, as a Districtwide Support Counselor I support students experiencing homelessness, students involved in the foster care system, and students involved in the juvenile justice system.

As a high school senior in 2006, I dreamt that someday I would have a profession in which I would be able to help others. 16 years ago, I did not know that the journey I took would allow me to make my dreams a reality. Therefore, I would like to share with the youth that their dreams can also come true. It all starts with a vision and working towards a plan to making it happen. No matter how long it takes, as long as you believe in your dreams and find the right people that can support you and your vision, anything can happen.

Make your dreams a reality!

Contributed by:
Letisia Alvarado
2006 Bessie Morris Foundation Prom Dreams

March 2022