Help keep the next step within reach.
Three different journeys. One reason to keep showing up. Youth and Job ChalleNGe helped these alumni build direction and skills; Cornerstone contributed practical support, connections, or continued mentoring. These are stories from our existing work—not outcomes of the proposed Alumni Success Fund.
Giving back is part of what alumni-led means at Cornerstone. Four alumni joined us in serving food to Cycle 3 New Mexico Job ChalleNGe Academy associates and staff—a practical way to stay connected and support the next group moving through the program.
Cornerstone also provided meals for the trades-pathway graduation at UA Local 412 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The occasion offered a chance to celebrate the associates’ work and recognize the staff who help make those training opportunities possible.
Thank you to the Program Director and Deputy Director for inviting us and allowing us to serve. The academies lay the foundation; Cornerstone builds on that work through practical support, continued connection, and opportunities for alumni to give back.
A Las Cruces, New Mexico native, Yareli Strong began finding her direction through Youth ChalleNGe after struggling in school. She carried that momentum into Job ChalleNGe, where she completed nursing-assistant training, passed her exams, and earned her certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential.
She went on to earn acceptance to New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell, where she is continuing her education with a long-term goal of working in law enforcement. Her ambition and professionalism reflect how one opportunity can open the door to the next.
Cornerstone provided several thousand dollars in scholarship support toward required equipment and academic supplies for her transition to NMMI. Our connection continues through check-ins, case-management follow-up, and guidance as she works toward her goals.
We are proud of Yareli’s progress. Her story shows why support beyond graduation matters: practical help can ease the cost of the next step, while continued mentoring means she has someone to turn to along the way.
An Albuquerque, New Mexico native, Maribella Sanchez built on her Youth ChalleNGe experience through Job ChalleNGe Academy, graduating from Cycle 2 with her certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential. She had gained practical skills and a clear goal: put her training to work caring for others, then continue growing toward a career as a registered nurse.
When Cornerstone reconnected with Maribella while she was looking for employment, we helped connect her with an opportunity at Genesis Healthcare through our community relationships and partnerships. She was hired and is now serving older adults as a CNA, putting the tools she gained through the academies into practice.
The academies helped lay the foundation; Cornerstone helped build a bridge from training to employment. We are proud of Maribella’s determination and the care she now brings to the senior community. Her next ambition is to become a registered nurse—a reminder that a job can be a beginning, not the finish line.
Mentoring • Education • Continued connection
Alesandro entered Youth ChalleNGe after losing focus in school, spending time with the wrong crowd, and facing possible expulsion. His mother introduced him to the academy. What he first imagined would be an easy path turned into a demanding opportunity to build discipline, motivation, and a new direction.
In his words, the program made him “more motivated to better my life and my family’s life.” He completed his high school equivalency and joined the New Mexico Air National Guard. Today, he works on the Albuquerque Public Schools security team and is pursuing college with the goal of becoming a nuclear engineer.
Cornerstone stays connected through mentoring, check-ins, and guidance as Alesandro navigates education, work, and service. Our contribution to his journey is ongoing encouragement and practical guidance—not scholarship funding.
His progress reflects both his own effort and the value of people who keep showing up. We are proud to walk alongside him as he sets ambitious goals and continues building on the foundation he gained through Youth ChalleNGe.
We look for meaningful steps in education, training, employment, service, mentoring, and barriers addressed. As programs grow, we will report results honestly and protect participant privacy. Our broader mission also welcomes young people from other at-risk youth programs. Assistance depends on eligibility and resources—not a promise of a particular outcome.