Impact
Youth Voices
Read personal stories of impact from some of IYF’s latest program graduates.
DULCE ROCHA, 18
Jóvenes con Entrega graduate, Mexico
What were they doing before the program? Dulce was a student in the public Technical, Vocational, Education & Training (TVET) system.
IYF program they attended: Jóvenes con Entrega, Logistics + Life Skills
What was the transformation? Through Jóvenes con Entrega, Dulce learned to trust her decisions and recognize the value she brings to a workplace. The experience strengthened her creative and critical thinking and gave her technical skills that helped her grow with confidence alongside her peers.
What is she doing now? Studying in college and working as a Sales and Bidding Assistant at a pharmaceutical laboratory.
Investing in Dulce means: Unlocking her confidence—and the courage to rewrite and rise above her own story.
SUSANA RIVERA, 27
Conectadas graduate, Mexico
What was she doing before the program? Susana had resumed her bachelor’s degree in computer science, which she had put on hold during the pandemic.
IYF programs she attended: Conectadas, Google IT Support + Life Skills + female mentorships
What was the transformation? Conectadas reaffirmed Susana’s path in engineering and helped her choose her specialization with clarity. It strengthened her confidence to thrive in a field where women are still underrepresented and expanded her sense of belonging in the tech world.
What is she doing now? Working on her university degree project, developing an AI-based application to help early detection of breast cancer through patient record analysis.
Investing in Susana means: Nurturing her purpose-driven leadership—and the power to guide and inspire others.
ROSAURA AGUIRRE, 21
Capital Juvenil graduate, Mexico
What was she doing before the program? Rosaura had completed high school in the public TVET system, was unemployed, and unsure of her next steps.
IYF programs she attended: Capital Juvenil, Finance and Banking Services + Employability
What was the transformation? Through Capital Juvenil, Rosaura strengthened her technical knowledge of the banking sector and discovered her confidence to pursue a professional career she once thought was out of reach. Preparing for job interviews became a defining moment—helping her present her skills and ambitions with assurance.
What is she doing now? Rosaura is a Sales and Services Advisor at HSBC Bank, recently promoted to Branch Administrator.
Investing in Rosaura means: Fueling her formidable self-assurance that transformed personal ambition into strategic, high-level management for an entire banking operation.
ADRIEL HERRERA, 25
JuventudES graduate, Mexico
What was he doing before the program? He was unemployed and in the process of social reintegration, facing challenges in decision-making, family relationships, and defining life goals.
IYF programs he attended: JuventudES & JuventudES 2.0 Life Skills + Hospitality + Employability
What was the transformation? During the training, Adriel’s commitment stood out. He developed his socio-emotional skills such as responsibility, empathy, and a growth mindset, alongside technical culinary expertise that opened new professional opportunities.
What is he doing now? Adriel began his professional journey as a kitchen assistant at a hotel in one of Mexico City’s most popular tourist areas. Today, he’s an assistant head waiter—a role he chose because it allows him to do what he enjoys most: connecting with people. He now supervises a team of four, guiding them with the same dedication and teamwork that defined his own growth.
Investing in Adriel means: Strengthening his resilience—and leadership grounded in empathy.
GINA NAOMI HUERTA, 21
JuventudES graduate, Mexico
What was she doing before the program? She was not studying or working after a challenging period when she wasn’t admitted to the universities she applied to—an experience that brought frustration and self-doubt after months of effort.
IYF program she attended: JuventudES, Life Skills + Hospitality
What was the transformation? For Gina, JuventudES was a turning point for personal growth. The life skills workshops and career guidance helped her identify her strengths and areas to improve, rebuilding her confidence and motivation to move forward.
What is she doing now? Gina is studying Veterinary Medicine, achieving outstanding academic results, including a perfect Grade Point Average in her first term.
Investing in Gina means: Fueling her determination—and the self-awareness to create her own future.
GUSTAVO ÁNGEL, 18
JuventudES graduate, Mexico
What was he doing before the program? Before JuventudES, Ángel was neither studying nor working at a time when he faced significant emotional challenges and felt uncertain about how to move forward.
IYF program he attended: JuventudES, Life skills + Hospitality
What was the transformation? Through the program, Ángel recognized his own strengths and learned to take opportunities with confidence. Counseling sessions and PTS classes helped him understand himself better, along with his own potential to grow.
What is he doing now? He’s a Kitchen Assistant in the restaurant sector, where he has taken on a supervisory role for a team of three. He leads not just by directive, but by setting a dedicated example, ensuring his team successfully applies the same dedication and collaborative spirit that fueled his own personal turnaround.
Investing in Ángel means: Helping him be more flexible and adaptable—and to be more open to learning for personal growth.