Partner Spotlight: Educational Talent Search at CSU Fullerton + Project SOAR
This summer, two partners brought their students for workshops at the PLUS ME Storytelling Center: Cal State Fullerton's Educational Talent Search (ETS) program and Project SOAR.
ETS at Cal State Fullerton
Maria Zarate from ETS shared what she observed from her students at the beginning of their week-long program:
"Coming in, they were very shy. They didn't want to talk.”
Then, PLUS ME Program Associate Anna shared her story.
"When she shares and opens, they see that it's a safe, welcoming space," said Faiza Hussain, ETS Senior Coordinator. Students began writing about their own challenges and goals. They posted them on the walls and read each other's stories. They started talking.
"Some of them come in with friends, but some come alone," Maria said. "When they tell us later 'I have a friend at this school now,' it shows how deep these connections go."
Brandon Mora, another ETS advisor, shared what he witnessed after the first day:
"This workshop helped our students understand their past so that they can make decisions about their future… and the bus ride back was much louder."
Project SOAR
Project SOAR Education Navigators (L-R): Melanie Alvarez, Alejandra Leon, Tania Torres, and Alejandro Haro
Project SOAR had a similar experience: last summer, they scheduled our workshop on day four of their five-day program. Students finally opened up—then the program ended.
"It was sad those connections were so short-lived," said Alejandra Leon from Project SOAR. This year, they led the week with PLUS ME's workshop so students could discover their stories together and spend the rest of the week building on that foundation.
But encouraging students to share involves overcoming deeper challenges. Every summer, Alejandra sees the same thing: Students from LA public housing communities arrive thinking they have no story worth telling. No challenges overcome. Nothing special about their lives.
"Sometimes students are shy or embarrassed to share where they live," Alejandra explained. "They don't realize waking up at 5 AM to help their parents is part of their unique story."
Through writing and sharing their stories, students began seeing these experiences differently—not mundane, but meaningful. Not shameful, but powerful.
"When we talk about college applications, students often say 'I don't have any challenges. My story's not special,'” said Melanie Alvarez from Project SOAR.
“This workshop helps them see what they consider unimportant is a barrier they've overcome—an impactful story they can use."
Want to bring your students to the PLUS ME Storytelling Center? Or bring PLUS ME to your students? Schedule a call with us—we would love to connect with you.