For Anayeli Martinez, the cramped two-bedroom apartment she shared with six other people wasn’t just a place she called home but a reminder of what she wanted to change.
Until two years ago, she and her mother shared a small bedroom, making the most of limited space and even more limited resources. But when they moved into Corona del Rey, a National CORE affordable housing community, the possibilities for a different future became brighter.
Anayeli finally had a space of her own.
“For the first time, I’m able to have a room to myself,” she said. “My mom and I always shared a room. Growing up like that made me realize that I wanted something different for myself.”
Raised in a low-income household, Anayeli saw firsthand the toll of financial hardship. Her mother worked over 40 hours a week, juggling long commutes and late nights to make ends meet. She knew she wanted a different path.
That path was through education but the cost of college loomed over her until she found hope close to home.
Through Hope through Housing’s Building Bright Futures scholarship, Anayeli found not only financial support but also a sense of belief in her journey. She is one of 33 recipients of the group’s 2025 Building Bright Futures scholarship.
“I was worried about how much I would have to pay out of pocket,” she said. “This scholarship will help me get all of that done and achieve my goals.”
This fall, Anayeli will attend UC Santa Barbara to study nutrition. She aims to become a registered dietician and educate communities like her own on the importance of healthy eating, food access and wellness.
“Since my mom worked a lot as I was growing up, we ate a lot of fast food because it was convenient,” she said. “She couldn’t cook and go to work at the same time. I want to make nutrition accessible for people like us, who are trying their best with what they have.”
Even now, she is putting her passion into action. She volunteers at her school’s food pantry, where she sees how food insecurity continues to hinder students and families.
“I want to give back and show people like me that no matter what adversities you face, higher education is possible,” she said.
She plans to work over the summer to save money and take on work-study in college to help with expenses. Every step she takes is one toward independence – and one toward giving back.
“This opportunity doesn’t come often,” she said. “I want to give my mom some relief, so she doesn’t have to carry the burden. I’m doing everything I can because she’s the reason I’m here.”