November 24, 2025
Alissa’s Path to Self-Advocacy
How Literacy Helped Her To Speak up And Thrive In School
When Alissa first enrolled in our program, she was hesitant to use her voice. Eye contact was difficult, speaking up felt overwhelming, and much of her early work with her mentor, Shaunti, centered on helping her advocate for herself. Many supporters may remember Alissa and her family from last year’s Step Up Gala, where we shared their story in a featured video; today, now an 11th grader, her growth reflects just how powerful long-term mentorship and literacy support can be.
Over the past seven years, Alissa has developed strong study habits and the confidence to express her ideas. This is an evolution grounded in consistent literacy-focused work with Shaunti. Together they reviewed past assignments, talked through what she wanted to say before writing, used drafts to strengthen her grammar and structure, and built routines that helped her stay organized and focused. Breaking down assignments into manageable steps helped her slow down and approach each task with clarity instead of stress.
This steady practice has transformed her confidence. Her writing, vocabulary, and handwriting have all improved significantly, and she’s learned to ask for help, articulate her needs, and advocate for herself in the classroom. This year, when schedule changes at her large high school caused disruption which is a recurring challenge. Alissa handled it differently. She communicated early with Shaunti and her caregiver, spoke directly with her math teacher to understand grading expectations, and worked with her support team to make sure she wouldn’t be penalized for missed work while schedules were still shifting. She then pushed herself to catch up and has been making real progress.
Her growth shows up not just in how she tackles challenges, but in her achievements. History, once an average subject for her, is now her favorite class. She currently has an 85, and her teacher shared that she is “extremely engaged in class, often participating and sharing knowledge with her peers.” For a young person who was once too shy to speak in front of others, this feedback meant everything. Shaunti could see how proud she felt hearing it.
Understanding her own social anxiety has been another turning point for Alissa. Having language for her experience helped her feel less alone and gave her tools she could use both academically and socially. Outside of school, her confidence is spreading into her peer relationships. She’s more willing to try new things, meet new people, and explore her interests. She’s excited about the future and is currently exploring engineering, art, and culinary arts as potential career paths.
Alissa’s seven year journey of trust and consistency shows exactly #WhyLiteracyMatters. When young people learn to express themselves, advocate for their needs, and believe in their own abilities, it changes everything.