Help Make Wishes Come True for Students like Judith

All it takes is a wish and an opportunity.

Like so many of the students participating in EXP’s programs this year, Judith is a rising star, who wishes for a future bright with opportunities to shine. She is brimming with ambition, talent and hope for the future, but first needs to overcome the challenges of growing up without ready access to college and career guidance nor the pathways to pursue her career dreams. 

“As a first-generation student, it’s difficult to understand what to truly expect after high school,” said Judith, who is now in her senior year at Phineas Banning High School in Wilmington, CA. 

Judith’s wish is to pursue a business career path within the healthcare field. But to shine, she needs access to career-readiness training, mentoring, and guidance to navigate the post-high school education and career decisions. 

“EXP is dedicated to making college and career a reality for students who are seeking guidance and a way forward to achieve a better future for themselves,” she said. “With your help, EXP will be able to continue to provide more guidance to students like me.”  

The value of the EXP student experience 

“Throughout [high school] EXP provides students with various programs, a few of which I attended, that include GPS your Future® and Women in STEM. These two programs allow students to expand their knowledge of local industries and businesses around their community,” Judith commented. “The programs opened my eyes to a broader selection of jobs. 

“Another program [that had a great] impact on my perspective towards the future is the EXP Internship Program. Being a part of this program allowed me to gain hands-on experience of what it’s like to work under a business management branch in the Port of Los Angeles. It is what directed me towards what I feel is the right career for me. Thanks to this program I was able to decide the career I want to major in and what college is the best for me.”

Your gift to EXP this holiday season will help make wishes come true for more students

In addition to helping more underserved students realize their career aspirations, Judith wishes donors like you will support EXP’s efforts to prepare students for post-secondary education and job training. Judith refers to this as preparing for “college life.” 

“As a first-generation student, I feel that EXP can help students understand and grasp the expectations we should have entering this new chapter of our life.” 

Join a Special Gift Challenge before December 31st!

Watson Land Company understands the value of EXP for local youth. So much so, they are providing a generous challenge gift of $25,000 to encourage supporters like you to join them in helping EXP reach our goal of $50,000 by December 31! 

Every dollar counts in support of our programs to help more youth achieve a brighter future! Please give generously.