Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Ludwig.
Hi Amy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in New York City, moved to Chicago after college to make theater, and came to Los Angeles in 2003. After working in TV and film for several years, I transitioned into marketing, which gave me a more regular schedule and time to volunteer. A friend who was mentoring with MOSTe recruited me to join her. I was matched with a 7th grader in 2010 and had an amazing journey supporting her through middle school, high school, and college. Along the way, MOSTe persuaded me to join their Board and then to step up as Executive Director in 2018. Another student I mentored since 7th grade just started college this fall. I feel so lucky to know and be inspired by these young women!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I like what the novelist E. L. Doctorow wrote about life: “It’s like driving a car at night. You can never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” I’ve been through times when a project, or a job, or even a career has felt like it is hitting a total dead end. And that was hard because I felt scared and didn’t know what came next. But somehow, by sitting in that uncertainty, staying in a beginner’s mind, and asking friends and the universe for support, the right opportunity has always come along. That’s taught me the importance of knowing your strengths, building relationships, and accepting change.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m the Executive Director of Motivating Our Students Through Experience (MOSTe), a nonprofit with the mission to mentor and empower Los Angeles’ next generation of college-educated women. We recruit students from six partner Title I middle schools, match them with volunteer mentors, and provide personal growth workshops, college visits, and career exploration, as well as individual college application and financial aid guidance. Over 90% of our scholars will be the first in their families to attend college. We help them identify their strengths and interests, find their college fit, and build satisfying careers. The organization was founded in 1986, added college access programming in 2007, and has supported over 2,000 students to reach their dream of a college education.
We’re unusual in that we recruit students starting in 6th and 7th grade in the belief that early motivation and a sense of possibility will help a student commit to her educational goals. We’re always looking to grow our amazing network of mentors and partner organizations who generously share resources to help our scholars succeed.
What’s next?
MOSTe is excited to be recruiting new students as the pandemic recedes. We just launched a new partnership with the Compton Unified School District and look forward to welcoming them into our program.