Cara Familet was first introduced to Step Up in 2007. Her interest in Step Up peaked when she joined her friend at a Step Up event in Los Angeles. When Cara moved to New York, she knew Step Up would be a great way to meet other women and have an incredible mentorship experience.
Cara and Jhoana connected at a College Connections Conference in 2015. "We weren't paired initially, but when the organizer of the event called 'Time's Up! Start working!' it was Jhoana and I who kept talking to each other, so we just naturally got together, and started brainstorming."
Jhoana, a junior at the Young Women's Leadership School of East Harlem joined Step Up because her friends encouraged her to sign up. "Step Up has made a huge impact on my life. It sparked my interest in photography and helped build my confidence. I'll never forget when I met Cara at a College Connections Conference. That's the day my photography and confidence flew to the sky."
During their time together at Step Up events, Cara learned about Jhoana's interest in photography and viewed some of the beautiful photos on her phone.
"Through Step Up, I've learned that mentoring is really all about listening. I listened to Jhoana tell me about herself and her interests, and when she spoke about photography she was so passionate about the process that I knew I could help her most if I focused on that."
When Cara was engaged and planning her small, intimate wedding in Bryant Park, she reached out to Jhoana to be her wedding photographer. Cara shares, "I asked her if she wanted to add 'Wedding Photographer' to her resume, and thankfully she said yes!" Photographing Cara's wedding was motivating to Jhoana. She was able to feel her path upward to her dream of being a professional photographer. "Being at Cara's wedding and taking pictures, seeing everyone smile and ask for more pictures warmed my heart. On that day, I got a peek of what my future will look like and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life."
Being a part of Step Up creates shared inspiration among mentors and Step Up teens. These connections however deep they go, are lasting and Step Up teens channel these connections as they gain confidence and they look to their bright futures.
Special moments from Cara's wedding that Jhoana photographed.
Like Cara, you can inspire teens, like Jhoana, to reach their full potential and donate to become a Step Up member or renew your membership. As a member you have the opportunity to mentor Step Up teens as often as you can and help our teens become confident, college-bound, career-focused, and ready to join the next generation of professional women!
