Every year, our Scholars remind us what resilience looks like.
They show it in the way they persist through challenges and step boldly toward careers that once felt out of reach. They show it in their determination to build futures that reflect their talent, their ambition, and their limitless potential.
2025 tested that resilience in new ways. In January, when wildfires spread across parts of Los Angeles, RTS Scholars and alumni faced disruptions to their homes, schools, and communities. As the year wore on, reductions in public benefits and increased immigration enforcement activity across Los Angeles deepened the challenges many in our community were already facing.
Again and again, we saw the RTS community rise to meet the moment: Scholars checking in on one another, alumni offering guidance and encouragement, and supporters stepping forward to ensure our students had the resources they needed.
Speaking of community, one of the most inspiring parts is seeing our alumni come full circle—returning to mentor current Scholars and strengthen the community that once supported them. This year, as you will read in this report, we formally launched the Alumni Council, led by extraordinary graduates of our program. This is just the beginning for our RTS Alumni!
Our Scholars are navigating college and early careers without the traditional safety nets many students rely on. Yet with supporters like you in their corners, they continue to rise—graduating from college, securing meaningful career-track jobs, and building lives defined by purpose and possibility.
The year was not easy, but 2025 brought out the best in us. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your partnership makes it possible for our Scholars to persevere through challenges, embrace opportunity, and build meaningful careers and lives.
With gratitude,
Pat McCabe and Romi Lassally
Co-Founders
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