RC June 2024 Blog
In March 2022, I launched a transformative initiative, the Girls of Legacy Scholarship and Mentorship Program, under my non-profit, LaunchPad, in Austin, Texas. This program aims to support high school girls from disadvantaged Title 1 schools, helping them pursue higher education and professional growth.
I initiated the program by identifying promising senior girls from an at-risk alternative school in Round Rock’s Success High School and Austin-based Crockett High School. These young women, passionate about their studies and eager to succeed, embody the future leaders of tomorrow. Some of them are pursuing their passion in science and technology, others in business, cosmetology, dental school, journalism, art, and many other areas.
We pair these young girls - whether in their first, second, or third year in university or community college - with local Austin-based community and business leaders for monthly mentoring and coaching sessions. This ensures they receive the guidance and support needed to navigate their educational and life journeys. This mentorship, inspired by my own experiences with supportive mentors—a key success factor in my career—is central to our mission.
Since the fall of 2022, the Girls of Legacy program has provided 14 girls with $57,000 in scholarships. This fall, we will issue an additional $40,000 in scholarships, totaling nearly $98,000 in financial support since the program's inception. Each year, as they meet the requirements to stay enrolled, maintain good grades, and stay accountable to their mentors through personal development sessions, the girls are eligible to receive additional scholarships throughout their higher education and studies. Our 2022 and 2023 annual fundraisers have raised over $26,000, which I then matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact. This funding has enabled these selected high school graduates to pursue their dreams of higher education and professional certification.
One inspiring participant of the Girls of Legacy program is a young woman whose journey began in Jamaica, where she and her family faced the harsh realities of poverty and severe sickness for her young sister. Despite the challenging circumstances, her father legally migrated to America, providing her at the young age of 9 with new opportunities and the chance for the American Dream.
Even with limited family income, a mother and younger sibling far away back home, she has shown incredible resolve and works hard, determined to succeed. Juggling a part-time job at HEB while attending school full-time, she is excelling academically at Texas A&M University, majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. Her ambition to become a pediatrician drives her to push through these challenges and strive for greatness. This month, this third-year Girl of Legacy received an extra blessing from our great country, and a few weeks ago, she notified me that she was officially sworn in as a U.S. Citizen.
Her involvement with the Girls of Legacy program began in 2022 when she was selected after doing her interview at Crockett High School for the first-year scholarship. Meeting me and understanding my vision for the program inspired her to become more involved. The mentorship and support from the program have been instrumental in her journey towards her goal of attending medical school and ultimately helping children in less fortunate countries. Today, she is also a lead mentor at her campus at Texas A&M, mentoring first-year students. She recently shared, “Ms. Rebecca, because of what you have done for me, I can now pay it forward and mentor other young students like you mentor me!” She is committed to making her family proud and serving as a role model for other young girls facing similar challenges, demonstrating that with determination and support, anything is possible.
As the Girls of Legacy program enters its third year, the commitment to these young women remains unwavering. The upcoming Annual Girls of Legacy 2024 Fundraiser, set for June 20th in downtown Austin, aims to raise the funds needed to grant the goal of 40,000 in scholarships to the class of 2024 girls! All proceeds from the fundraiser will be matched by me and my company AvantGarde LLC, amplifying the impact of every donation. When you support these young girls with your giving, $20 turns into $40 and $100 turns into $200, doubling the impact!
Girls of Legacy was inspired by my own journey from a single mom on welfare to a successful entrepreneur. My path, marked by hard work and the guidance of mentors, serves as a testament to the power of mentorship and support. In my book, "Lost Girl: From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire Entrepreneur," I share my story and the importance of paying it forward. After all, I feel strongly about paying it forward since I am a product of strong mentorship, and I would not be where I am today without it. My hope is that this program helps recognize and encourage these promising young women to continue following their dreams.
Through Girls of Legacy, David and I are not only providing financial support but I have the personal privilege to nurture the potential of the next generation of leaders. The program stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right support, every girl can achieve her dreams.
To contribute to Girls of Legacy – and have your donations matched dollar for dollar – visit https://www.rebeccacontreras.com/girlsoflegacy
