25 Years Strong: Lwam’s Commitment to Succeed

A lot was new for Lwam growing up in SeaTac with her Eritrean roots. A new, ever-changing city, new people, and a new school—there were many unfamiliar challenges for her and her family to navigate. However, she had a unique support system by her side, Friends of the Children-Seattle.

Lwam became a part of Friends-Seattle when she was 5 and was in of one of our first youth cohorts. Later on, as a teen, she was paired with her professional mentor, Alicia. When things seemed difficult, Alicia remained beside Lwam and her family through every stage—from high school happenings to college applications. Lwam loved reading and practicing poetry, reading books, and planning out her future.

Lwam’s determination and warmth inspired the other youth at Friends-Seattle, becoming a role model for others pursuing their dreams. Lwam would say, “Explore what is out there, make sure to apply for internships, volunteer within your passions, find something you love, [and] know that you have an entire community through Friends of the Children in your corner cheering you on.”

In 2012, Lwam became the first to graduate from Alicia’s group of mentees. They were all there to cheer her on, and when it came to opening her decision letter from the University of Washington to see if her hard work had paid off, Alicia was the first one there to watch her open the letter that read: Accepted.

Their bond didn’t end there. Throughout college, Alicia continued to check-in with her, offering encouragement during tough times, including her first heartbreak. Alicia was a constant cheerleader for Lwam’s endless potential. Lwam continues to be the determined, creative, and ambitious young woman Alicia mentored years ago, “She is just, absolutely incredible, I am so proud of her,” says Alicia.

Today, Lwam's determination has taken her far. She is completing her final year at New York University’s College of Dentistry, a program she cites as “notorious for being incredibly hard, but I love it so much that every struggle feels like an opportunity to become better. It’s a different kind of ‘stress’,” she notes with her mantra, “Helping someone with their smile helps them for life.”

Lwam's story is a testament to the power of long-term mentorship: unlocking potential, building resilience, and inspiring dreams for a young person, and everyone around them.

This is only possible with your help. Invest in creating a future where every youth has the chance to realize their power and make a commitment to succeed and reach their dreams. Help us reach our goal of $250,000 by May 4, 2025.

Celebrate 25 Years of Commitment with us at https://friendsseattle.org/celebrating25.