In 2015, Anais Zayas walked into Kelvyn Park Junior High and High School with a purpose. As a proud product of Chicago Public Schools, Anais had a deep understanding of the challenges young girls in her community faced. She had grown up just around the corner, and now, as a licensed social worker, she returned to give back in a way she wished had been available to her when she was a student.
Anais was tasked with launching Youth Guidance’s Working on Womanhood (WOW) program at Kelvyn Park, a group counseling and support program focused on fostering emotional, social, and leadership skills in young women. The WOW program is centered around five core values: self-awareness, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, visionary goal-setting, and leadership. For Anais, these values were more than words—they were guiding principles she wished she had encountered as a young woman navigating the complexities of adolescence.
“I saw how much WOW changed my life,” Aaliyah says. “I wanted to be that person for other girls, to help them find their voice and their path the way Anais helped me.”
One of the first students Anais met that year was Aaliyah Castillo, a bright and energetic freshman who quickly stood out. Aaliyah had a natural charisma, always involved in activities like cheerleading and ROTC, but behind her smile, she was dealing with personal struggles. She had recently lost her grandmother, a figure who had been her biggest source of support. Aaliyah also faced the challenges of growing up in a single-parent household, which often left her feeling alone and unheard.
“I was dealing with a lot when I met Ms. Zayas,” Aaliyah recalls. “But she was always there. Her energy, her passion—you couldn’t be in a bad mood around her. She made sure I felt heard and supported. When I was down, I knew I could run to her, and everything would be okay.”
Safe Space
The bond between Anais and Aaliyah grew quickly. Anais saw something special in Aaliyah. “She was a natural leader from day one,” Anais remembers. “She had this determination and caring spirit that shone through in everything she did. I knew she would go on to do great things, even back then.” Anais provided Aaliyah with the guidance and support she needed to navigate her challenges, both inside and outside the classroom. Through WOW, Aaliyah found a safe space to express herself and began to grow into the confident, self-assured young woman she was meant to be.
Inspired by Anais and the impact WOW had on her life, Aaliyah soon began to dream of becoming a social worker herself. She knew she wanted to give back, just as Anais had done for her. “I saw how much WOW changed my life,” Aaliyah says. “I wanted to be that person for other girls, to help them find their voice and their path the way Anais helped me.”
After graduating from high school, Aaliyah pursued her degree in social work, following the path Anais had laid out for her. But their story didn’t end there. Years later, Aaliyah’s journey came full circle when she returned to Kelvyn Park as a graduate student intern for WOW, working side by side with Anais to guide a new generation of young women.
Full Circle
“When I walked back into the same classroom, not as a student but as an intern, it was surreal,” Aaliyah reflects. “I was able to give back to the same girls who were sitting where I once sat. It’s such a blessing to be in this position, to be the mentor I once needed.”
For Anais, seeing Aaliyah return as an intern was nothing short of remarkable. “I always tell my students that I may never get to see the seeds I plant flourish, but with Aaliyah, I did. Watching her grow from a student to a leader in this program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. She’s now doing for these girls what I did for her, and that’s the beauty of this full-circle moment.”
Together, Anais and Aaliyah are a testament to the power of mentorship, showing how one act of guidance can create a ripple effect that changes lives for generations to come.
At Youth Guidance, stories like Anais and Aaliyah’s are at the heart of what we do. When you support programs like WOW, you’re helping to create these full-circle moments, where today’s students become tomorrow’s mentors. You’re planting the seeds of hope and opportunity that will continue to grow for years to come.