A Path to Healing: Yancy's Story

Yancy, in the medical assisting scrubs Upward Scholars provided her.

When Yancy came to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2015, her focus was clear: create a better life for herself and her family. While her children entered school, Yancy began working in fast food, where her love of learning helped her quickly improve her English and rise from cashier to manager.

Though she always wanted to go back to school, financial and health challenges delayed her plans. When the pandemic reduced her work hours, she saw it as an opportunity to finally begin her education. She enrolled in ESL classes at Cañada College and was quickly connected with Upward Scholars.

Upward Scholars has supported Yancy every step of the way—providing textbooks, food support, a medical kit and scrubs for her healthcare classes, English tutoring, and emotional encouragement through programs like Conversation Club and Platiquitas. “Every small and big support has made a difference,” Yancy says. “Everything adds up and makes our journeys possible.”

In 2023, she began Cañada’s Medical Assisting program and plans to earn her associate's degree in 2026. Yancy’s health struggles have deepened her empathy and strengthened her desire to help others.“Being free of pain is such a beautiful thing,” she says. “I want to help others feel relief, too.” Though she’s considering nursing in the future, she’s focused now on building experience as a medical assistant—ready to use her journey of healing to support others on theirs.