Erika & Diana's Story: One tutor. One student. A life transformed.

Erika and Diana at an Upward Scholars event.

One day, a friend invited Erika to a fundraising event where students shared stories of overcoming insurmountable barriers to pursue their education. One after another, they shared how they couldn’t have done it without the support they received from Upward Scholars—support that went far beyond academics. Erika was so moved that she decided to give more than just money. That day, she became both a donor and a volunteer tutor, even though she’d never tutored before.

That decision would change both her life and the life of the student she was paired with in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Upward Scholars matched Erika with Diana, who had recently enrolled at Cañada College to study English after completing her GED. They were both nervous before their first meeting: Diana was shy and unsure of herself because of her limited English skills, and Erika wasn’t sure what to expect. But something clicked. Erika’s patient and caring attitude quickly put Diana at ease. In their early sessions, they worked together on basic grammar, which may seem simple to native English speakers but is a real challenge for adult learners. As Diana gradually built a stronger foundation in English, her confidence grew. Soon, their weekly sessions became a lifeline.

Diana was born in San Francisco but raised in Mexico after her father passed away. After graduating from high school there, she returned to the U.S. in search of better opportunities. But without strong English skills and with few local connections, she struggled. She began taking ESL classes, but had to stop to work multiple jobs, including the night shift at Burger King in the San Francisco airport. It was there she met her husband, married, and had two daughters.

One day, her husband and daughter came to visit her at work. She overheard her daughter say, “When I grow up, I want to work at Burger King, like mom.” That moment stayed with her. She realized she wanted more for her children—and herself. She used her maternity leave to start GED classes, hoping that earning the diploma would eventually lead to a better job. With two small children at home, it took two years to complete her GED and enroll in ESL classes at Cañada College.

That’s when Diana met Elizabeth Weal, the founder of Upward Scholars. Elizabeth asked her a simple but life-changing question: “What do you want to study after English?” Until then, Diana had never even imagined that college was possible for her. A seed was planted.

Through Upward Scholars, Diana received holistic support: tutoring, transportation, academic counseling, emotional encouragement, and help with essentials like textbooks. Most importantly, the tutoring program matched her with Erika, a volunteer tutor who believed in her from the very beginning. Their weekly sessions became a constant source of motivation and accountability. Together, they worked through assignments, practiced conversation, and celebrated small wins.

As Diana progressed, she reached a point where she’d have to confront one of her greatest fears: public speaking. One week, Diana was to give a presentation to a class. “I remember sitting in the park and helping her prepare for her presentation. I gave her feedback while she practiced it over and over and over again, until she had it just about perfect,” Erika says. “Diana crushed her presentation, and I was so proud of her.”

Over the years, Erika witnessed Diana transform. She went from doubting whether she belonged in college to graduating from Cañada College with an associate degree in 2020, then transferring to San Francisco State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in political science in 2022—all while raising her daughters and caring for her elderly mother.

For Erika, tutoring changed her perspective on what it means to show up for someone. “I signed up thinking I’d help someone improve their English,” she says. “What I didn’t expect was how much I would be inspired by Diana—by her motivation, her strength, and her willingness to dream bigger.”

Diana credits Upward Scholars for giving her the confidence and tools to persist, even when life got hard. But she says it was Erika’s and her other tutors’ unwavering support that helped her truly believe in herself. Today, Diana is the Programs Director at Upward Scholars, shaping the programs and services that will change the lives of countless students like her. And the impact goes beyond her: her daughters now talk about college and dream of professional careers—just like their mom.

For 15 years, Upward Scholars has helped hardworking immigrants like Diana achieve their dreams—and volunteers like Erika discover the joy of being part of that journey.

When you donate to Upward Scholars, you’re not just funding a program. You’re changing lives.

You’re giving parents the tools to build a better future. You’re making college feel possible. And you’re giving volunteers like Erika the chance to witness the incredible power of belief and connection.

Donate today—and be part of a transformation.