“Boys Hope Girls Hope has made a tremendous impact on my life. They have inspired me, empowered me, ignited me, and most importantly, given me hope. I hope I can make a difference and bring that same hope to those who need it most, just as they have done for me. “
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado alumnus, Juan Carbajal, was the presenting speaker at our 2024 Hope Challenge Golf Tournament.
Couldn’t join us for the event? Read his speech to hear Juan’s thoughts on the impact Boys Hope Girls Hope has made on his life.
Juan’s Hope Challenge Speech – Full Version
Hello and good afternoon!
I’d like to thank you all for attending. It’s wonderful to see so many of you gathered here for such a great cause that I am passionate about.
Nine years ago – back in July 2015 – the summer before my senior year of high school, I was standing at this podium, giving my very first public speech on behalf of Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH). In fact, some of you probably heard me give that speech!
In that time, I experienced my fair share of hardships, heartbreaks, and failures. And still, I graduated high school, graduated from University of Northern Colorado, completed my undergrad with a business degree, and successfully entered the workforce. I did that with the confidence of knowing that BHGH has my back.
They have supported me through the best and worst parts of my journey.
I remember at one of my lowest points – in the midst of the 2020 pandemic and the beginning of my senior year in college – I was out of work and in need of an internship necessary to graduate from UNC. It was because of BHGH that they were able to connect me with a Department Leader at Edward Jones, who mentioned that they had just opened up a winter co-op position within their recruiting team. I immediately jumped at the opportunity and applied.
The Department Leader set up a phone screen with me, and then set up a Zoom interview with the Team Leader, and one week later I was offered the position as a winter co-op for $15 an hour. The opportunity even counted towards internship credits. As a broke college student needing those credits to graduate, how could I say no? Actually, I kind of did say no. I had another job that paid more and my family needed that extra money, but BHGH reminded me that I needed an internship to graduate and encouraged me to look at the long game.
Fast forward to April 2021, one month before my graduation, and that Team Leader offered me a full-time position as a Talent Acquisition Support Specialist. The new title came with a pay bump, too. With a confirmed graduation approaching and the new role secured, things were starting to turn around for me and I was feeling good about my future.
Now, as of June 2024, I am a Sr Recruiting Coordinator at Edward Jones, currently training to be a Financial Advisor Recruiter. I am also now an alumnus of BHGH, no longer a collegiate, and that means that I am able to support the organization in other ways.
When I was a scholar and a collegian, BHGH had us volunteer a lot and I’ve always enjoyed community service. And now I help BHGH!
As a BHGH alumnus, I have told my story to business owners & community leaders in St. Louis, I have given guidance and advice to newly graduated high school seniors throughout the country, I have assisted BHGH collegians for developing real world plans after they graduate, I have even had the pleasure of working with the BHGH Headquarters Team on creating a new name for the organization! Any opportunity for me to advocate for BHGH is one that I will gladly take on. In fact, sharing my story with all of you here today is one of the many ways that I like to pay it forward.
And, because of my unique upbringing into EdwardJones through BHGH, I can say with confidence that I see myself progressing and developing my career there in the future. BHGH has made a tremendous impact on my life. They have inspired me, empowered me, ignited me, and most importantly, given me hope. I hope I can make a difference and bring that same hope to those who need it most, just as they have done for me.
Thank you so much for listening to my story and for being a part of this meaningful journey.