From Student to Mentor: Manny Saldana’s Full Circle Journey 

There is something deeply special about seeing a former HOPE student return as a mentor. It speaks to the lasting impact of a community that truly invests in its students. 

At HOPE, we meet students where they are, supporting their individual needs both academically and personally. When students feel seen, valued, and understood, it can change the direction of their lives. For Manny Saldana, that support shaped his journey in powerful ways and ultimately inspired him to return to HOPE, ready to make a difference for the next generation. 

HOPE’s philosophy of Belong, Believe, Become guides everything we do. When students experience a genuine sense of belonging, they begin to build the self-belief needed to pursue their goals and become whoever they want to be. 

Manny Saldana’s journey reflects this philosophy beautifully. 

Manny’s Early Journey as a HOPE Student 

Manny’s path through school was not easy, but joining HOPE in 5th grade gave him a sense of stability that became an anchor during some of the most difficult seasons of his life. 

“Even during times when I faced homelessness, HOPE gave me stability, encouragement, and the chance to keep moving forward,” Manny shared. Alongside housing instability, he also navigated severe depression. There were moments when continuing felt overwhelming, yet HOPE remained a steady presence. 

“HOPE kept lifting my spirits, reminding me not only of the importance of my education, but my own worth and will to continue,” he said. 

That individualized support allowed Manny to graduate from Power Academy, but academics were only part of the story. HOPE gave him experiences that helped him feel connected and whole. He played sports, went to prom, and celebrated milestones alongside peers and mentors who cared deeply. 

“HOPE wasn’t just about the academics for me, it was about belonging,” Manny reflected. “The mentors who cared, the friends who stood by me, and the opportunities to participate and make memories that reminded me I mattered.” 

Coming Back as a Mentor 

Years later, Manny found himself drawn back to the place that helped shape him. His return to HOPE was motivated by gratitude and a genuine desire to walk alongside students facing challenges similar to his own. 

“Now I’m back at HOPE, but on the other side,” he shared. As Athletic Activities and Events Coordinator, Manny brings empathy, understanding, and credibility that only lived experience can offer. He knows what it feels like to struggle, to doubt, and to need someone to believe in you. 

“I want to make a difference for students who are walking the same road I did,” Manny said. “I want to build bridges, create opportunities, and show them that they are seen, valued, and capable of more than they realize.” 

When students see someone who has lived and understands their reality, they see proof that growth, healing, and success are possible no matter the situation. 

HOPE Through the Eyes of the Community 

Manny’s story reflects a broader truth that is echoed throughout the HOPE community. Families, students, and alumni regularly share how HOPE has shaped their lives. 

One community member shared, “HOPE is the reason I am who I am today. Forever grateful.” Another wrote, “So grateful for HOPE, especially Front Range Academy.” 

These voices reinforce the same themes Manny described. Students feel seen, supported, and valued. They experience HOPE as a place that nurtures both learning and belonging.  

The Ripple Effect of HOPE’s Care 

When HOPE invests in one student, the impact extends far beyond graduation, and Manny is living proof of that ripple effect. The care he received now flows outward to the students he supports each day, and the values he carries will continue to influence families and communities for years to come. 

“HOPE gave me more than an education,” Manny said. “It gave me a community, a sense of belonging, and the belief that I could succeed. That’s what I carry with me, and that’s what I want to give back.” 

Supporting HOPE means supporting students like Manny, who simply need someone to believe in them, and sometimes, those students come back to become the very mentors who make that belief possible for the next generation. 



Manny’s story is a reminder to all of us that what we do matters, and you never know just how far a kind deed can travel.