Ten years ago, Ella* joined Back2Back Cancun programming. She was younger at the time, still discovering who she was and what kind of future she wanted. As she was welcomed by staff, she found safety as she walked through seasons of growth and challenge.
Ella is a young adult in the Transition to Independence Program, and her future continues to take shape alongside her hope and sense of purpose. The Transition to Independence program helps young adults transition from family-style living to an independent and self-sustaining lifestyle. Through mentorship under a trusted adult, those in the program receive spiritual guidance, assistance with budgeting, meal planning, and transportation, along with many other life skills. They learn, in real time, exactly what it takes to rise.
There were moments when Ella didn’t know how far she could go.
Five years ago, she was diagnosed with a medical condition that changed everything. It altered her daily life, bringing with it physical demands, emotional weight, and responsibilities most young people her age never have to consider. Ella had to intentionally lean into her own strength and discipline, and allow those around her to support her.
As college and future possibilities drew closer, her steps ahead felt uncertain.
Ella was carrying the burden of her health condition, with the added pressure of financial difficulties. Emotionally, the decision to begin university felt overwhelming and, at a time when she needed encouragement the most, some voices convinced her college would be too difficult, too risky. They suggested it might be too far out of reach.
Ella considered not entering university at all.
The obstacles felt overwhelming. Her health demanded constant attention, and her finances were uncertain. The voices telling her it was too difficult grew louder than the ones encouraging her to continue.
Without support, her dream of higher education could have slipped away, not because she lacked ability, but because carrying so much alone became too heavy.
She wasn’t left to figure it out alone, though.
Trusted adults continued showing up, challenging her when fear felt louder than hope. They helped her navigate practical challenges and reminded her that her future was still worth pursuing.
With that support behind her, Ella took the next right step: she enrolled in college.
Term by term, she showed up. She pursued her long-held dreams while carrying additional responsibilities for her health. With each step, staff saw a twinkle of something they’d always known she had: Ella was not going to be defined by the challenges she faced.
She is in her sixth term studying Criminology and Criminalistics. This achievement has required discipline, perseverance, and quiet strength. The path to this moment hasn’t been simple, but it has never stopped her forward momentum.
She is preparing to begin her social service, an important piece in her final year of education. Reaching this point is more than just an academic milestone to Ella; it is confirmation that her steady effort, backed by a supportive community, can open doors that once felt deadbolted.
Next year she will celebrate her university graduation.
The young woman who once wondered whether college was even possible is now preparing for a career helping children and families build safer futures.
What once felt out of reach is now within sight.
And Ella is already doing what she has always hoped to do: using her own story to encourage others to keep moving forward, even when the road ahead feels uncertain.
