06/02/2026
The best way to understand the impact of our mentorship program is to hear from those who have experienced it. Meet Xavier Salas, a previous mentee in our mentorship program, and learn about the impact that our mentorship program had on him.
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“I did not always see myself as a ‘leader’.
As a proud Chicano, first-generation college student from Kansas City, I grew up learning how to navigate spaces that were not always built with people like me in mind. My passion for mental health, especially within the Latinx community, comes from witnessing, up close, what happens when people don’t have access to care that truly understands them.
Today, I’m a licensed social worker serving predominantly Latinx youth, and I carry those experiences with me into every room I enter. But stepping into leadership? That felt like a different challenge.
The Young Latino Professionals mentorship program changed that for me.
This program did more than offer guidance; it offered affirmation. It placed me in a space where my voice was not just heard but valued. My mentor pushed me to think bigger, speak up more, and recognize that my lived experiences are not limitations but leadership tools. Through this experience, I learned that leadership is not about having all the answers. It’s about showing up authentically, advocating for your community, and creating space for others to do the same.
What impacted me most was being surrounded by other Latinx professionals who are driven, resilient, and committed to uplifting our communities. There’s something powerful about not having to explain where you come from and about being understood without translation.
Because of this program, I no longer second-guess whether I belong in leadership spaces. I walk into them knowing I do.
I would recommend this mentorship program to any YLP member who is ready to grow, be challenged, and be seen. If you’ve ever questioned your place in professional spaces or wondered if your story matters, then this program will remind you that it does. And more than that, it will help you use your story to lead.”
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RSVP to our upcoming mentorship program information with the link below.
https://linktr.ee/YLPKC?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=1d238909-4556-4e09-97ce-c2d1f462fbf7
