For young people navigating college applications or stepping into their first professional experiences, the path forward can feel overwhelming, especially for students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Through Para Los Niños’ Youth Workforce Services (YWS), students are met exactly where they are, with personalized guidance, practical tools, and trusted relationships that help turn uncertainty into confidence.

This past fall, two different moments—one centered on college applications, the other on career preparation—highlight how YWS supports young people as they shape their futures.

Making the Most of a Day Off

During the week of September 22–26, 2025, three high school seniors from Abraham Lincoln High School, Kelly, Nicola, and Michael, chose to spend their Rosh Hashanah day off investing in their college journeys.

All three students are first-generation and from low-income households, and each joined the WIOA In-School Youth Program at the Para Los Niños North East YouthSource Center in August 2025 seeking additional support as they prepare for life after high school. Though all were motivated and college-bound, their needs looked very different when they arrived.

Kelly came in worried that her UC application wouldn’t stand out with only three extracurricular activities listed. Through a conversation with the College and Career Advisor, Kelly began to see her experiences differently. Responsibilities she had carried for years (caring for siblings, managing household tasks, and translating for family members) were not “missing” from her application, but simply unnamed. Together, they reframed those responsibilities as leadership, time management, and service. By the end of the session, Kelly had expanded her Activities and Awards section from three to eleven entries. She left the center with renewed confidence, understanding that her contributions at home mattered and belonged in her story.

Nicola arrived at the center feeling stuck before she had even begun. She felt overwhelmed by the idea of choosing colleges without knowing where to start. Rather than pushing her to have everything figured out, the College and Career Advisor helped her focus on what she could do right away: completing the UC application’s personal information, household details, and academic history. By walking through the application step-by-step using a prototype account, Nicola gained clarity and peace of mind.

Michael came in prepared to start the Common Application and was considering applying Early Decision, though he wasn’t fully sure what that commitment entailed. After a detailed conversation about the differences between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision—and the binding nature of certain options—Michael decided to shift his focus to the UC application first. This choice gave him more flexibility and time to organize his application process. With a clearer understanding of his options, Michael left feeling more grounded and prepared to move forward strategically.

Recognizing the initiative and leadership shown by all three students, their Case Manager invited them to join the UnidosUS Escalera Program, which complements WIOA services by focusing on college access, career exploration, and navigating the first-generation college experience. Feeling supported in the guidance they received, the students encouraged a close friend to visit the center and enroll in the WIOA In-School Youth Program as well, demonstrating the trust and peer-to-peer impact these services foster.