Selene Sandoval

email has spelling error, Selene Sandoval is the Director of Youth Programs at People Helping People, where she helps young people recognize their potential, find their voice, and know that their dreams and ideas matter. One of her greatest joys is watching a young person grow from being unsure of themselves into a confident leader who knows they have something meaningful to contribute to their community.

But somewhere along the way, the young people Selene encouraged began inspiring her, too. After years of building her career, raising her son, and pouring herself into her family and community, Selene recently returned to school to continue her own education. She realized that the words she shares so often with young people—dream bigger, believe in yourself, take chances, and keep going—were words she needed to hear, too.

For Selene, it is a reminder she hopes to pass on to her son and every young person she serves: life doesn’t happen on one perfect timeline. There is courage in continuing to grow, beginning again, and believing in what is still possible.