Ale is part of the SCORES team serving the Crocker Amazon region of San Francisco. As a program manager, Ale works directly with students, supporting their development through soccer, poetry, and service learning.

Ale worked in a very different field a little over a year ago. She had been a medical assistant in various healthcare settings, including urgent care, internal medicine, and plastic surgery. But she was ready for a change and wanted to find a way to help people that didn't involve being stuck indoors all day.

Through Coach Jr., Ale learned about the opportunity at SCORES. She quickly connected with the organization's mission and the joyful energy of the young poet-athletes.

We talked to Ale about a wide range of subjects, including her background growing up as a first-generation student in Marin County, her love of reading, and the advice she’d give to her younger self. Below are edited excerpts from our conversation.

On growing up:

My parents are immigrants from Mexico, and we moved here when I was just a year old. I grew up in Marin County, first in Novato and later in Fairfield. My family moved around the area, and I attended several schools before graduating from San Marin High School. Growing up, I saw how hard my parents worked, especially my dad who does landscaping. It shaped my perspective and work ethic.

One of the reasons I love SCORES is because we didn't have anything like this in Marin when I was growing up. SCORES gets kids involved in writing and outdoor activities, which is so important.

On connecting with SCORES students:

Many students we work with are primarily Spanish speakers, especially in the Crocker region. I speak Spanish and can relate to their experiences. Many of them have multiple siblings or similar family situations to mine, so there’s a common ground that helps us connect.

I want to be someone who takes the time to connect with kids, especially girls, to help motivate them to play. I wasn’t able to be involved in sports when I was younger because of various reasons, and I understand how important it is to have someone encouraging you to participate.

When I was growing up, Spanish was my first language, and I didn’t practice English much at home. I was placed in IEP (individualized education plan) classes at school. One of my teachers realized I was misplaced there as a language learner and helped transition me to regular classes. My teacher taught me to love to read. I still do, especially memoirs. I recently enjoyed “My Beloved World” by Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic appointed to the Supreme Court. So inspiring being a Latina woman.

On the transition from healthcare to SCORES:

The biggest difference is the energy. In healthcare, especially in settings like urgent care or plastic surgery, people mostly come in with problems they want fixed. There's often a negative energy. But with SCORES, it's completely different. When you walk into a school, if you come in happy, the kids immediately notice that. It's a much more positive environment.

Here, you're the first person of contact for the SCORES kids. They see you multiple times a week. They hug you, they’re happy to see you. It's a complete change from my previous work and it feels much more rewarding.

On discovering unexpected talents in students:

Attending a poetry slam and witnessing the pride and confidence of these young students was one of the most mind-blowing experiences I've had. Take Crissler, a student I work with, for example. She's typically quiet and shy, but when she performs, her vocal presence is incredibly strong. It's amazing to see someone so young deliver such flawless performances with such calm and humility afterward.

On what she would tell her elementary school-aged self:

I would tell that young girl to keep going and be vocal about how you feel. Trust your gut and what you want. I'd want her to know there are different ways to help people, and it's not always through traditional paths like healthcare. I'd encourage her to keep trying and know that she'll be able to figure things out. Most importantly, I'd want her to know that she can make changes to be happier and find fulfilling ways to make a difference in people's lives.

“Keep going and be vocal about how you feel and trust your gut and what you want”

— Ale Labrada

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