2026 Youth Panel: Young Leaders, Real Stories, Lasting Impact
(Left to Right: Eunice S Navarro, Carolina Quiñones, Hector Ortiz)
At our 2026 Besties Appreciation Event, we had the opportunity to hear directly from two young leaders whose experiences with Friends for Youth have taken them in different directions, while sharing a common thread. The conversation was moderated by Eunice Navarro, FFY alumni mentee and current Senior Development and Communications Coordinator, who opened by reflecting on her own experience:
“As a 1-to-1 mentee, I stand here as a testimony of the ripple effects of your support not only through the program, but through the greater Friends for Youth community, which is why I felt it was so important for us to highlight the extension of our programs through firsthand accounts.”
That idea became the heart of the conversation: what can grow from a single opportunity, a meaningful relationship, or simply having someone show up for you?
This year’s youth panel featured Hector Ortiz, a 2026 Sequoia High School graduate and former Promotores participant, and Carolina Quiñones, a former Friends for Youth intern and Group Mentor who continued her journey through the WHY Rotational Fellowship.
Together, they shared stories of finding their voices, stepping into leadership, and carrying what they learned into what comes next.
From Finding His Voice to Leading in His Community
Hector first connected with Friends for Youth as a freshman after meeting with Ben, our esteemed partner from Redwood City Together at the OYE Latinx Youth Conference and learning about the Promotores program. He was drawn to the opportunity to serve his community, learn something new, and gain experiences that could help prepare him for adulthood.
Through Promotores, Hector became involved in a variety of experiences that encouraged him to step outside of his comfort zone. He participated in Community All Stars, presented to City Council about the Promotores program, attended professional development opportunities, and even took on the role of MC at OYE in front of over 300 attendees.
For someone who once considered himself shy, getting in front of a crowd was not always easy.
But Hector kept saying yes.
He shared how experiences like public speaking pushed him to become more comfortable putting himself out there, speaking with adults, and advocating for himself. Looking back, he recognizes how much his confidence and personality have grown since he first joined Friends for Youth.
Finding Community Along the Way
Beyond the skills and experiences, Hector also talked about the relationships he has built through Promotores. He described getting to know other young people his age, making new friends, and being part of a group where everyone can come together, have fun, and support one another.
Some of his favorite memories came from working with the Community All Stars planning committee, where he helped bring youth together at community events with activities, including soccer, basketball, and dodgeball.
For Hector, those moments were about more just having fun. He got the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than himself, work alongside his peers, and see an idea come to life.
Building Skills for What Comes Next
Hector also reflected on the practical skills he has gained along the way. Through Tidal Partners' financial literacy workshops, he learned about saving, investing, managing money, and avoiding debt—information he hopes to carry with him as he begins building his financial future as a young adult.
When asked what Friends for Youth has given him that he will carry forward, Hector spoke about the memories, relationships, and experiences that encouraged him to get out of his comfort zone and express himself.
He came into the program as someone who spent much of his time at home. Through these experiences, he found opportunities to connect with others, try new things, and become more comfortable showing up in his community.
When asked to describe his Friends for Youth experience in three words, he chose:
Community. Growth. Leadership.
Growing Through Community and Connection
Carolina’s journey with Friends for Youth began while she was attending San José State University, where she joined FFY as an intern and Group Mentor. While balancing her work with Friends for Youth and her studies, Carolina graduated from San José State University summa cum laude with a 3.95 GPA.
After completing her internship, Carolina continued through the WHY (Whole Health for You) Collaborative Rotational Fellowship, gaining experience at both the PAL Center and Siena Youth Center. Working in two different settings gave her the chance to build relationships with families and young people while learning more about the kind of work she wanted to pursue.
At PAL Center, Carolina worked in an administrative and front-desk role, where she welcomed families and became a familiar face to parents. Building those relationships became one of the most unexpectedly meaningful parts of her experience.
At Siena Youth Center, she returned to working more directly with young people. One experience in particular gave her the opportunity to help students turn an idea into something useful for their community.
Turning Ideas Into Something Useful
During a time when many Latinx families in the community were experiencing heightened fear and uncertainty, Carolina and the students decided to focus their enrichment project on gathering resources for families who might need additional support.
Together, they researched local organizations and services and created a resource brochure with information families could actually use. They looked at whether resources were free or came with a cost, included direct links, checked the information for accuracy, and thought about what families would want to know before reaching out.
The students helped decide what information would be most useful, while Carolina helped guide the process and turn their ideas into something tangible.
And, of course, they gave the group a name: Chicken Littles.
The Small Moments That Stay With You
Carolina also shared a story about building a 1-on-1 connection with a student who was struggling with his schoolwork.
Rather than assuming he wasn't capable, she worked with him to understand what conditions and approaches would help him succeed. They tried different strategies, worked within his accommodations, broke assignments into more manageable pieces, and found ways to account for the additional time he needed.
Over time, something shifted.
The student began bringing in his work and practicing more independently. He started taking ownership of his assignments, and Carolina saw firsthand how small adjustments and consistent support could make a difference.
But what stayed with her most wasn't the academic progress. It was realizing how closely young people watch the adults around them.
She noticed the student beginning to pick up little things she did, from using stickers to putting his name on his water bottle, just like her.
“People look up to you, and I felt that in that moment,” she shared.
Those moments stayed with her because they showed that the relationship itself mattered, not just the work being completed. The experience also gave Carolina the chance to build a deeper one-on-one relationship and learn to work within a different dynamic than the group settings she had experienced. Along the way, she gained a deeper appreciation for simply being present, listening, and creating space for others.
And her journey has now come full circle.
Carolina has officially joined the PAL Center team, returning to an organization where she first gained experience during the WHY Fellowship. Our other WHY Fellow has also been hired back into the community.
For Friends for Youth, seeing young leaders continue to grow, build relationships, and carry their experiences into new spaces is a meaningful part of the work. Their stories don't end when a program or fellowship ends. They continue through the people they meet, the skills they carry into their futures, and the communities they become part of.
And Carolina's story is one example of that ripple effect.
Bringing It Back to Our Supporters
As the conversation came to a close, Eunice brought the discussion back to the people who make these experiences possible.
“You’ve both had very different experiences with Friends for Youth, but I think we’ve heard so many common themes today—relationships, community, confidence, leadership, and growth.
So I want to end by bringing it back to our supporters. What would you want our supporters to know about what these opportunities have meant to you?”
Hector:
“Thank you for supporting me and my future. Thank you for giving me access to opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. These opportunities have changed my life.”
Carolina:
“Thank you, truly, for showing up, for listening, and for your generosity and support. It means so much to have people who are willing to show up and care, because it reminds us that we matter and that our voices matter. I’m grateful to represent young people who are often overlooked and to be part of creating spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported. You’re planting the seeds, and we get to go out and water them as we serve, nurturing those relationships and watching our youth grow.”
Their words reflect something at the heart of mentorship: change doesn’t always happen in one big moment.
It’s a young person finding their voice.
It’s a student beginning to believe in their own ability.
It’s a new leader discovering where they can contribute.
And sometimes, it’s simply knowing that someone was there.
Thank you to our Besties and Friends for Youth community for helping make those moments possible.
