L.I.F.T. Bridges … Peer Mentorship, Guest Speakers, Giving Back
L.I.F.T. Bridges are held twice every summer and during winter and spring break. The result has been a cornerstone for knowledge, enrichment, bonding, celebrating and giving back.
Each summer the June L.I.F.T. Bridge is a time for new freshman L.I.F.T. Scholars to meet everyone and start establishing bonds. Scholars find out who will be attending their university so they can be peer mentors to the new scholars from the moment they arrive on campus. This academic year Emily Valdez is a junior at U.C. Berkeley working the summer U.C. Berkeley Bridge and is a wonderful peer mentor for freshman Chris McComas and Claudia Jorge. Anne Rivero, a junior at U.C.L.A. and will provide the support needed to peer mentor freshman Angie Vargas, Amanda Salva, and junior Jason Pacheco. David Molina a junior at U.C. Santa Cruz will be able to offer valuable advise to Mayeena Ulkarim. The scholars always come away inspired by just how much every scholar has accomplished with increased G.P.A.’s, internships and jobs in their field of study, volunteer hours in the community, club officer roles, and study abroad experiences.
See Study Abroad and See Scholar Accomplishments
The August L.I.F.T. Bridge directs L.I.F.T. Scholars to be inspired in their field of study and career possibilities by bringing in guest speakers who followed their passions to a successful career. The L.I.F.T. Bridge offers a wonderful platform to have professionals in entertainment, photography, science, counseling, the arts, entrepreneurship, medicine, literature, education, law and a wealth of professions share their stories and wisdom. From Diego Cartagena, a social justice lawyer at Bet Tzedek in Los Angeles, to William Boyce a famous wildlife photographer, to Zach Horwitz, a successful entertainment media entrepreneur and CEO of 1inMMProductions, L.I.F.T. Scholars learn valuable lessons from these professionals. The greatest lesson being the importance of finding the balance between educational pursuits, your strengths and what makes you fulfilled.
Winter is a time to give back as the L.I.F.T. Foundation has started a tradition of helping the community. It always inspires that L.I.F.T. Scholars, who come from low-income homes where there is often a daily struggle, give back with pure joy and enthusiasm. Last winter the L.I.F.T. Foundation adopted the teens from the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles.. Reaching out to the community before Oscar season the L.I.F.T. Foundation had a special showing of the impactful Oscar winning movie “Hidden Figures” at Baldwin Hills Cinemark Theater. Special guests, all U.C.L.A. alumni, spoke about “Careers in Stem” before the showing.
With finals and the school year soon behind our L.I.F.T. Bridge in the spring always focuses on the GOAL of jobs and internships. How to Write a Resume… Keys to Looking for Internships… Places to Intern in fields relevant to the L.I.F.T. Scholars… Interview Techniques… Cover Letter writing… Sharing L.I.F.T. Scholar Successes!
All year long L.I.F.T. Bridges keep scholars connected, informed and inspired!