From Feeling Lost to Creating Change: A Journey of Growth and Impact
A speech by Leticya Ortiz delivered to a crowd of 208 people at Enterprise for Youth’s annual dinner celebration, Heroes at Work on April 16th, 2026. One of two speakers, Leticya shared her personal journey and how Enterprise has impacted her life.
Leticya Ortiz, Enterprise for Youth Alumni, Youth Speaker at Heroes at Work- April 16, 2026
“For most of my life I didn’t know my “purpose” but as I kept trying jobs, internships, and just putting myself out there I realized I don’t want to wait for change, when I can start that change.”
Good evening everyone, thank you for coming! Tonight I’m sharing my story, a story similar to many, yet full of surprises. My story starts with me crashing my mom’s birthday… okay, just kidding, but seriously, fun fact: I have the same name and birthday as her, so shout-out to my mom.
I grew up apart from her for 13 years. Growing up with my grandma is a different story, but let me just say that living in Mexico is difficult. I felt like the only kid who didn’t have a parent. It wasn’t all bad, but I missed my mom even though I knew she moved here for a better life. When I was 13 years old, I arrived in the city of San Francisco after a court battle we didn’t know we would win, one my mom fought for years to bring my sisters and me here. It was a dream come true for my mom. For me, it meant leaving my Mexico, my home, my roots, and my family, and I was not a fan at that moment.
Moving away was quite the culture shock. My life changed so suddenly, with almost no warning, that I found myself isolated from the world. Everywhere I went, I felt fear of being misunderstood. I didn’t know any English when I started school; everything in my life had always been in my native language, Spanish. But I needed to learn how to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. I was a really quiet kid back then, so to do anything really, I had to put myself out there because things don’t always come to us.
When I started middle school, everything became even more challenging. Not knowing the language in an all English school with only one class in Spanish was my nightmare for a while. As you all heard, time flies, and let me tell you that for me it happened in the blink of an eye. Next thing I knew, I was attending Abraham Lincoln High School. During the start of high school, I found Horizons Unlimited, another nonprofit that dedicates itself to working with youth for the youth, shout-out to Nancy, Michelle, Chris, and Erin. Alongside a teacher, Morgan, who guided me throughout my time there, the lessons and knowledge I learned there were, and I’m not kidding, life changing for me.
Leticya Ortiz speaking on stage at Heroes at Work 2026 at Terra Gallery in San Francisco, CA
“For me my experience with Enterprise helped me truly understand it is not just about work, it’s about loving what I do.”
Horizons introduced me to many opportunities, one of which I am so happy to be standing here tonight to say thank you to: Enterprise for Youth.
I first met Carlo, shout-out to him as well for giving me the opportunity to grow and expand my knowledge through experiences! It was actually through Enterprise that I was able to give back to Horizons by becoming their Program Assistant. I was also an assistant for an all denim kitchen store and was also an assistant for the internships at the San Francisco Port. During those summers, I learned how to build connections, practiced my skills, organized events, and found ways of teaching.
For me, my experience with Enterprise helped me truly understand that it is not just about work, it’s about loving what I do. I have learned that I want to help support and equip youth with life tools and guidance for them to make their decisions and understand how those decisions can affect them, whether it is about college, entrepreneurship, or trade school.
For most of my life, I didn't know my “purpose,” but as I kept trying jobs, internships, and just putting myself out there, I realized I don't want to wait for change when I can start that change.
One thing I am grateful for is knowing that transformative change can happen in many ways.
After I graduated from Lincoln, I went to City College. Because I needed to move out on my own, I didn’t continue. But the most amazing thing has happened. Over the past four years, I have found enough experience and contacts to help me pursue my dreams to influence, guide, and help kids and youth overcome, become, and transform themselves into the person they want to be.
Since last September, I have been an afterschool kindergarten teacher at Thomas Edison Charter Academy. I am still involved with Enterprise for Youth because I myself also want to create something, whether it is a summer camp or nonprofit, but my ideal goal is to become an international nonprofit with programs in marginalized communities. We all just need a little help, an extra push, a little guidance!
Thankfully, ever since I arrived, I have had the pleasure of meeting the most wonderful people, and these people guided me, helped me, and influenced me in the most wholesome ways. You all are part of my journey, and I am grateful.
I would love for you all to have a takeaway tonight: that sometimes you have to go out there and make the change you want to see, and meeting Enterprise for Youth has made all the difference for me. Thank you.
