LaVonda’s Story: Confidence and Courage with StreetWise Partners 

by StreetWise Partners
September 16, 2024

“Courage, confidence, resilience—StreetWise Partners gave me these three things, and I carry them with me every day.”

LaVonda grew up in the inner city of D.C. She followed a non-traditional route after high school and while she pursued higher education, she did not have access to resources and relationships.  

LaVonda was working a series of part-time and contractor roles when a colleague told her about StreetWise. She was hoping to build a career with purpose, rather than a series of jobs. As a single mother, she spent most of her life working to build a better life for her children. She was nervous about the unknown but took the leap and applied.  

Once she was in the program, StreetWise paired her with two mentors who helped her build confidence, learn how to give an elevator pitch, and figure out her “why” — her purpose in her life and career. “My mentors held my hand step by step, led the way, and gave me my wings,” LaVonda says. 

Equipped with new skills and confidence, LaVonda secured a role at a local county office. But that was just the beginning. 

When the pandemic hit, LaVonda took a bold step by launching an online consulting firm to help others prepare for jobs and learn skills that she did not gain until her 30s. The skills honed at StreetWise helped her build her business and fulfill her purpose of giving back to her community.  

As LaVonda says, “StreetWise Partners is an amazing career development program that reaches out to inner city folks like me, gives us a common space to be who we are, and helps us find the confidence and courage to do whatever we desire to do with our careers.” 

Today, LaVonda’s consulting business continues to thrive, and she is also an Executive Assistant in the non-profit healthcare sector. She is dedicated to continuous learning and inspiring others to believe in themselves like StreetWise Partners did for her. “I would not be right here if it was not for StreetWise,” she says. 

Now, LaVonda is becoming a StreetWise mentor herself, eager to give back. “I'm hoping that returning to StreetWise as a mentor will inspire folks to move forward and believe in themselves the way the program was able to help me do.”  

Join us as a mentor or volunteer and change the life of someone, like others did for LaVonda. Register to mentor now.