Savannah, who attends Villaggio’s after-school program, has a big dream: to make the world a better place for animals. After a Career Conversations event, that dream feels possible.
“I want to help the animals and now I know how,” she said. “I can make a change here by volunteering.”
Her inspiration came from Alyssa Cotter, executive director of Hope through Housing, who visited Villaggio to share her journey from volunteer to nonprofit leader.
Alyssa’s story was part of Career Conversations – a series that sparks curiosity, builds confidence and helps children envision their future. The activity is part of Hope through Housing’s Building Bright Futures program, which equips young people with the tools, guidance and inspiration they need to dream big and take steps toward success.
Alyssa walked the children through her career path – one shaped by a deep passion for community service. From her earlier days as a volunteer to her leadership roles in philanthropy, Alyssa’s commitment to impact was always there. In 2024, she stepped into her current role as executive director, continuing her mission to uplift communities.
After her talk, she led an interactive activity that helped the children brainstorm ways to get involved in their own communities – from volunteering locally to identifying causes they care about.
For students like Savannah, the message was clear: Your passions can shape your path.
“Having these conversations with kids is powerful,” Alyssa said. “It shows them that their interests and values can guide their future. I hope my story inspires them to find what they care about and to believe they can make a difference.”
Thanks to conversations like these, children are learning how to turn their passions into real-world action.