SheShinesOn … Masiel Encarnación, RAW Art Works

Q: Tell us a little more about your professional experience.

A: After two years of working directly with the youth of RAW’s college access and career exploration program I assumed the role of Project Launch Director in June 2014. Along with the Youth coordinator, we expanded our annual calendar of workshops offered to teens and their families, added more field trips to colleges and universities, and recruited more one-on-one volunteer mentors to accommodate our Launch teens. For example, our workshops included “The Inside Scoop on the College Admissions Process” (a panel and college fair), Information sessions on other alternatives like Job Corps and Year Up and provided more individualized support to our youth, mentors and families.

Q: What has been the hardest part about your job?

A: The hardest part about my job is that every young person’s life, situation, family circumstances and drive are different and as a team, we must learn to adapt to that with patience and without judgement.

Q: What has surprised you most since starting your work with your org?

A:  The true genuine dedication of the staff and mentors to the youth.

Q: What would the world be like without your organization?

A: If it wasn’t for RAW I would not be the woman I am today and other youth would not have the opportunity to build their strengths and express themselves freely. It would be a sad world.

SheGives connects committed, inquisitive, engaged donors with a slate of diligenced nonprofits in the Greater Boston area. We provide members with relevant data about the nonprofits in our portfolio and an opportunity to meet directly with our nonprofits’ Executive Directors and senior staff in small settings that promote in-depth q&a’s and, ultimately, informed giving. Giving is personally driven, but because we give side-by-side our collective impact is greater. See a list of the vetted nonprofits selected for our slate here.