LAURA GARCIA

At LIFT, I manage a caseload of 18 parents, providing client-centered coaching to help them achieve personal and financial goals. By developing tailored coaching plans, I support each client in leveraging their unique strengths and navigating challenges to create sustainable progress.

As a bilingual coach fluent in Spanish and English, I ensure that language is never a barrier to delivering practical, empathetic support. This role emphasizes cultural humility and a deep understanding of the systemic barriers impacting low-income families. Through one-on-one coaching, I have honed skills in relationship-building, goal-setting, and delivering individualized, strengths-based support to empower clients on their journeys toward success.

• Tutored and mentored elementary school students in various subjects such as math, science, and Spanish
• Assisted elementary school students in the classroom and library so they could accomplish the task at hand
• Supervised playground to ensure the safety and collaboration of students

In my role, I offered comprehensive support to refugee families and strived to build special and meaningful relationships with them. One of my key responsibilities was providing guidance and academic support to the children in these families. I worked diligently to help them achieve their educational goals by planning engaging and enjoyable activities that promoted learning and boosted their confidence.

In addition to academic support, I played a vital role in assisting these families in learning the English language. I developed lesson plans and engaged in conversation to enhance their fluency and language skills, aiding their integration into their new community.

Furthermore, I collaborated closely with our dedicated staff to identify other significant ways volunteers can contribute to the well-being and progress of these families. Together, we are committed to making a positive and lasting difference in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive in their new home.

• Provided home-based care for three kids, ages three, 18 months, and 3 months
• Created a fun and safe environment to play, cook meals, and drive children to and from destinations
• Developed a curriculum focused on improving the kids' Spanish language skills for learning a second language as part of weekly babysitting duties
• Modeled appropriate social behaviors, immersed children in other cultures, and encouraged the development of diverse relationships