Week 3

Ivette Alonso García
Jun 27
5 min read

Updated: Jul 2

June 08, 2025- Conference

After a long, amazing week in the office, I was looking forward to going on a trip to Philadelphia. I have been in communication with my office, CHCI, and the CAMP program leaders for about 2 months to give me permission to attend an annual conference that the program that I am a part of hosts. That morning, I had to wake up early to catch the metro and catch my flight. Coming from Oregon and always traveling to the East Coast, I was not prepared to have a short flight. I was planning on taking a nap on the plane, but before I realized the 45-minute flight to Philadelphia ended. I got off the plane and ubered to my hotel. Met up with the other National Youth Council members and went out for Dinner.

June 08- BBBSA- National Youth Council Members having dinner at Chili's. Pictured: Ivette Alonso Garcia

After dinner, some of the council members decided to go for a walk around the city. As we knew, we were not going to have enough time to explore during the day. We took the opportunity to go together and see what Philly was like in the dark. We discovered that there was a very big mall 2 blocks away, and there were also some historical landmarks around.

June 08, 2025- A walk under Philly's Night Sky

June 09, 2025- Conference Day 1

As part of the National Youth Council Group, I was tasked with helping guide workshops, working with the press, representing the 'Little's' of the program, and speaking on the stage. To prepare for all of what was going to be done this week, there was a day of workshops for us, and we got to hear from guest speakers from all across the agencies.

June 10, 2025- Conference Day 2

After long sessions of training, we finally had the opportunity to attend workshops on our own. I chose the topic that most aligned with my previous experiences and work. Profiles in Mental Health Courage by Patrick J. Kennedy & Stephen Fried. So, to see the authors of the book I have, and Mr. Kennedy, the cousin of President John F. Kennedy, was astonishing. I unfortunately couldn't get them to sign my book because I was called for another meeting, but it was good knowing that I was in the same room as them.

June 10, 2025- Picture of Mental Health Courage Workshop Pictured (left to right): Stephen Fried, Patrick J. Kennedy

After that amazing workshop, I had to go get ready because the Youth Council was going to have a small segment for the big audience. I went to my room and got ready, put on my shirt, and headed back down to the ballroom. The event got started, and we were all waiting for the signal. Once the Magic Word was spilled out, we headed towards the back middle of the room. With my mentor by my side and my cap on my head, it was GRADUATION all over again. At the queue, the song started playing Andra Day - Rise Up. As the lights were pointed at me, I walked down the aisle and up to the stage. I looked at the crowd, hoping my parents were there, and that's when I realized I missed my family. I look up at the lights, not wanting to drop a tear.

June 11, 2025- Conference Day 3

Today was the day the Youth Council was introduced. As a Youth Council, we aim to advocate, advise, and act. As the first inaugural council for BBBSA, it has been a milestone for the whole non-profit organization and the Youth Council in general. We have shown up in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the fall for the reopening of the NOLA Agency. We have been to Washington, DC, in the winter for Advocacy Day, speaking to legislative staff about the works and benefits of BBBSA. And last but not least, we were present in the room in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the annual BBBSA Conference.

Later that night, I met a nice family that had won an award after the event. They invited me to go explore the city at night and have a late-night snack on the way.

June 12, 2025- Conference Day 4

After a late-night walk, I woke up at nearly noon. We had a general session, and after that, it was a break all over again until later that afternoon. I had 3 hours of nap time, so I took them, and then I had 2 hours of getting ready for my time on the stage. I got a call from the leader saying that they needed me down for a video take. So I rushed down, hoping I had enough time to do everything. When I got there, the personnel gave me a script to memorize in under a minute while they were getting the camera set up. I got to the middle of the room and read my script, thanking Ulta Beauty for their support.

June 12, 2025- Ivette is recording a video for Ulta Beauty to help and support youth.

An hour before the main event, I had to go to the stage and practice, and get my mic. After what seemed to be forever, I finally heard voices trickling in the ballroom. I had met up with the one and only Adrienne Bailon as I was going to introduce her. As time was passing by, I finally got my cue to go up to the stage and present in front of more than a THOUSAND attendees from all across the nation and around 500 online attendees. I went up and had my 5 minutes of speech. Introducing both Adrienne Bailon and Fantasia B. Taylor.

June 13, 2025- Departing

And just like that, the whole conference came to an end. The night before I checked in for my flight and it said that my flight was delayed for later that afternoon, so I told myself that I could sleep in a little since I had already packed. When I woke up around noon, I looked at the app again, and it said that it was departing on its original time, so I panicked and called my friend, who was also going to catch a flight to DC. She confirmed that we were not going to make it to that flight, so we called our lead. We got that sorted out and changed our flight, and made our way to the airport. And once I saw the Pentagon, I knew I was back at home.