“Blanca was the first employee in our FRC (and I think at Hilltop) to be given an internship opportunity because on paper she did not meet the minimum job requirements, but had shown her dedication to our mission and values, expressed a desire for growth opportunities within our organization and overall has been and continues to be an amazing team member who is highly respected by her team and the families she serves.

Blanca has built such great relationships that she has been able to bring back programing into our schools and also has brought youth programs back to Delta County.” – Joy Hamilton

“Relationship really is what binds all of our Hilltop Values together to support our ultimate mission of People First, and Blanca exemplifies relationship in every aspect of her roles within our organization. Blanca is deeply authentic in her engagement of the youth that she works with as a Youth Navigator, as well as with her coworkers and community partners. That skill of relationship has brought more youth through our programs and led to increased collaboration in our community around youth services. She is predictable and level headed even in very tough situations, and thus has been able to set healthy boundaries with the youth she works with, while also gaining their trust. She is truly changing lives. She is also a kind and unifying presence in our region, who is always bringing her coworkers together and helping to organize fun events. She seeks out folks that might feel left out, and makes them feel welcome and part of our team.

Blanca has also shown such courage and integrity throughout her internship process – she actively sought out feedback, was honest and humble when she did not know something, and showed (and continues to show) serious grit when she comes up against a problem. And through all of that, she has exemplified a commitment to growth through her internship and her willingness to take on new opportunities and ask questions. Through her excitement for growth opportunities, she has learned new systems and then had the courage to say “what if we did this?” and created new opportunities which have grown programs and the individuals participating in them.

Blanca is willing to have hard conversations about what is right and wrong, and does so in a kind way. She is committed to inclusivity and creates opportunities for youth and families in our community who historically might have been overlooked. She is honest and kind in all her interactions, and I think of Blanca as a role model, not only to our community’s youth, but to her coworkers, myself included.” – MK Hooley-Underwood