Carla Thought She Wouldn't Belong
- May 30
- 3 min read
Meet Carla.
Carla was born in the United States after her parents came here from El Salvador seeking safety from violence and instability.
By the time she joined UPN as a StreetLeader in high school, she was already carrying a lot of responsibility. She helped raise her younger brother, who she once told us was “like my first kid.”
During her senior year of high school, Carla saw a job posting at her school: UrbanPromise Nashville was hiring StreetLeaders.
“I need a job,” she remembered thinking.
Her family’s home had flooded three years before, and her parents had been slowly rebuilding it as they could while both working long hours as mechanics. Carla filled out the application at a small table in a half-rebuilt living room.
But there was a catch—or so she thought.
Something in the application made her realize UPN was a Christian organization.
Carla is Catholic, and she worried she wouldn’t belong here.
I still remember her asking during the interview if her faith would disqualify her from the job. But she didn't have to wonder for long.
On her first day as a StreetLeader, she walked into a room full of students and StreetLeaders from different backgrounds and faith traditions. All learning and leading together.
And something in her relaxed. “I felt like I belonged,” she told us.
Belonging is not just about being welcomed into a room. It’s about realizing you don’t have to hide parts of yourself to be loved once you're there.
Carla quickly became deeply woven into the UPN community. Mary, who led our StreetLeader program for several years, drove her to work and UPN events when her mom couldn't, took her on college visits, helped her apply for scholarships, and became a steady presence in her life during some really formative years.
And even after graduating high school four years ago, Carla has continued showing up. Thursday dinner and discipleship nights. Rise UP! Breakfasts. Race For Refuge. And she’s been one of the best interns we’ve ever had — twice.
This fall, Carla will begin her senior year at Tennessee State University studying political science and urban studies. She originally planned to become a teacher. But somewhere along the way, her vision grew.
In her own words:
“I want to work at nonprofits, because that's my passion. I want to work in other countries — help people who need the most help."
One of the most beautiful things we’ve witnessed over the last five years at UPN is watching young people who were once welcomed and poured into begin imagining lives spent doing the same for others.
We’re already watching that happen in Carla.
When we asked Carla what promise she wants to keep for the next kid coming behind her, she said:
“The promise I'm keeping to the next kid is that no matter where I'm at in life, I'm always going to come back -- I’m going to help you no matter where you're at in life."
Four years ago, Carla walked through our doors wondering if she would belong. Today, she's committed to helping the next student know they do.
That is what five years of welcome, belonging, and becoming can grow. And it’s exactly the kind of story your generosity helps make possible.
UrbanPromise kept its promise to Carla. Help us keep it for the next kid.
Watch Carla's story in her own words.
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