Dear MOSTe Community,
As we embrace this season of love and friendship, I am deeply moved by the transformative power of generosity and the impact giving has in shaping the futures of the young women we serve. At MOSTe, generosity is the driving force behind the opportunities we are able to provide to young women looking to us for guidance and opportunity.
We recognize that the most precious gift we can offer our young scholars is the power to dream without boundaries. By providing opportunities and support, we empower these young women to envision and pursue their aspirations freely. Our commitment is to nurture their potential, allowing them to become whoever they wish to be. In doing so, we’re not just shaping individual futures, but fostering a generation of confident leaders and innovators. We invite you to join us in being a part of this transformative journey and help turn dreams into reality!
Together, through the dedication of our mentors, the support of our community members, and the passion of our staff and board members, we cultivate an environment where young women can thrive, dream big, and achieve their full potential.
With love,
Nicole Fisher
Executive Director
– MOSTe in Action –
January Workshop 2025: Nice Girl or Winning Woman? 10 Ways to Put Your Best Foot Forward!
Our latest Self Advocacy Series workshop was a resounding success! Scholars enjoyed an inspiring morning with Dr. Lois Frankel, the visionary founder of MOSTe, who led an engaging session packed with invaluable insights and practical skills. The workshop focused on three key areas: unlearning biases, combating imposter syndrome, and developing effective self-advocacy skills.Scholars put their new skills to the test through interactive scenarios, lively group discussions, and a thought-provoking Q&A session. The supportive presence of mentors, parents, and staff created an encouraging environment for our scholars to step out of their comfort zones and find their voices.
Community Service : Adopt – A – Beach with Heal the Bay
Our scholars, mentors, and community members completed the first beach clean up of the semester at Manhattan Beach – Bruce’s Beach as we’ve kicked off our partnership with Heal the Bay through their Adopt-A-Beach Program. Scholars were able to hear from Heal the Bay’s staff member Gisselle Sainz, who provided a safety talk and answered many questions from our scholars. The event was very successful and rewarding for our scholars!
Alumni Check In: Graduating Class of 2019 – 2023!
If you are part of the Alumni Class between 2019 – 2023, be on the lookout for our Alumni Check In Form! We would love to hear from you and reconnect! If you have any questions or need to update your contact information with MOSTe, please reach out to Vanessa Sanchez via email at !
Wildfire Relief Donation Drive
We want to give a special thank you to our community members who came together and showed out to donate hygienic goods for those impacted by the LA Wildfires. We donated the community’s donations to Koreatown YMCA in Los Angeles!
– College Readiness –
MOSTe Café: Scholarship Search
We kicked off our first MOSTe Café Meeting with a scholarship search and applying session! Scholars and alumni joined us over Zoom, where they learned about different types of scholarships, where to find them, and how to apply. All participants applied to at least 1 scholarship by the end of the MOSTe Café meeting!
FAFSA Workshop Session B – UPCOMING
We will be hosting our second FAFSA Workshop night via Zoom, where we go over how to fill out the 2025-2026 FAFSA!
– Career Pathways –
Advocacy and Law Career Pathway
We are thrilled to announce the selection of four outstanding scholars for the prestigious Garment Worker Youth Program as part of our Spring 2025 Advocacy Cohort. Please join us in congratulating Frances M., Pamela A., Brianna G., and Chelsea M. on this remarkable achievement! These dedicated students will focus on crucial areas such as eliminating sweatshop labor, advancing labor rights education, enhancing political awareness, mastering fundamental organizing skills, and actively engaging in Garment Worker Center (GWC) campaigns.
This comprehensive experience will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to become effective advocates for fair labor practices and ethical manufacturing. We are excited to witness the impact these bright young minds will have on this industry and their journey towards creating a more equitable and sustainable world.
– Mentor Moments –
In January 2025, my two mentees and I attended a MOSTe workshop with Dr. Louis Frankel, which was insightful for both mentors and mentees. Dr. Frankel led a discussion on the various influences—social media, television, family, and friends—that shape a student’s life. It was great to see strong participation from mentees, parents, and mentors. Many mentees identified family as a key positive influence in achieving their educational goals, while social media and television had the highest response rates. One of my mentees shared that she gained confidence in presenting herself and navigating difficult conversations. Writing about daily challenges also helped her recognize common issues and develop solutions using Dr. Frankel’s approach.
-Elba S
Despite a challenging month with illness, busy schedules, and the wildfires, my mentee and I stayed connected through frequent texts, checking in on each other daily for support. Once things settled, she shared the exciting news of joining four school clubs and preparing for another choir performance this spring—I’m so proud of her! I can’t wait to attend and finally spend time with her in person next month.
-Jodie D
We headed to UCLA for a campus tour! It was my mentee’s first time visiting UCLA and I was particularly excited about touring the architectural department. She loved the school and hopes to apply there.
-Stephanie S
My mentee and I attended the beach clean up then got some lunch. It was great to catch up and get a better understanding of where my mentee’s mindset is at.
– Kelly K
I’ve been checking in and calling more frequently with my mentee to offer support and reassurance during these time.
– Ivana J
My mentee and I went to an LA Clippers game together!We had a blast and it was great to see my mentee again.
– Laurie S
It was a very busy month back from winter break so we met up and had a sweet treat at Cold Stone to celebrate her college acceptances so far! She is absolutely killing it and I am so proud of her!
-Vanessa A
– Let’s Connect! –
Connect with the MOSTe Team and follow us on social media to stay updated on what we are up to and how you can get involved!