In the summer of 2024, a fourth-grade student named Lesly joined Urban Vision’s Set on Success program. At the time, Lesly didn’t speak a word of English—her first language was Spanish. Despite being in the school system, she faced a major barrier: she couldn’t understand the instructions on her homework.
Urban Vision Steps In
At Urban Vision Lesly began using Rosetta Stone and worked one-on-one with teachers who guided her through English lessons and homework. By the start of the school year, Lesly was already making progress. And by 2025, she had transformed—speaking English at grade level and excelling academically.
Compassion Sparks Leadership
But Lesly’s growth didn’t stop there. That summer, her younger cousin joined Set on Success as a kindergartner. He cried every morning, overwhelmed by the new environment. Seeing her younger cousin in distress resonated with Lesly because she remembered how overwhelming it was to be in a brand-new environment. As a result, Lesly ran for class president on a platform focused on making Set on Success more welcoming for kindergartners. Her ideas included reducing noise in the gym and creating a buddy system for nervous newcomers.
To campaign, Lesly stood before 100 students and teachers and delivered a speech—in English. Not only was she willing, she was excited. And she did a great job.
Lesly’s story is more than a tale of language learning; it’s a testament to the power of compassion. At Urban Vision, we believe compassion doesn’t just grow individuals—it’s contagious. Lesly’s journey shows how empathy can turn challenges into leadership and inspire change in a community.
