About Us
Journey Forward Mentoring supports students of color from low-income households in Dallas who have historically lacked access to higher education. We focus on building relationships that serve students not just now, but long into the future. Our mentors encourage our students to think boldly about their future and provide them with the tools they need to be successful following graduation. Through mentoring, students can learn about not just what steps they needed to pursue higher education, but truly discover their strength and power to determine their own future.
Journey Forward Mentoring first engages with high school students through our Next Gen Mentoring program, pairing participants with local adult volunteers through one-on-one mentorships. We continue to work with our students once they graduate through Edge, our postsecondary bridge program.
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We illuminate new paths for students, not telling them where to go. We believe that our students simply need existing possibilities revealed to them as we open doors and point out the opportunities they might have otherwise walked right past.
Since 2014, Journey Forward Mentoring continues to be a collaborative effort. At its core, it is an organization built on the support of, and input from, the community, its schools, and parents who share the same passion for opening more doors for our students.
Founder's Legacy Award
Who we are today would not be possible without the many people who have poured their time, energy, and passion into Journey Forward. In 2024, we celebrated our 10-year anniversary and created the Founder’s Legacy Award to honor those whose extraordinary impact has shaped our story. This award recognizes individuals whose vision, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting mark on Journey Forward, and whose contributions have opened doors of opportunity for countless students.
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ANAHI ESPARZA & JJ PONCE
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Our inaugural recipients, Anahi and JJ, embody the spirit of Journey Forward's Founder's Legacy Award.
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Anahi joined Journey Forward in 2014 as a sophomore at Adamson High School, part of our very first group of mentors and mentees. After graduating, she attended the University of Texas at Austin, studied abroad in South Africa, and earned her degree from the School of Social Work. Today, she has returned to her hometown to serve her community as a social worker—while also giving back as a mentor in Journey Forward.
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JJ is one of the founders of Journey Forward, the first president of our Board of Directors, and a founding member of the Journey Forward Giving Society. His leadership and advocacy have shaped the organization from the very beginning. Beyond his board service, JJ has continued to mentor students—including Anahi—and remains a committed supporter of our mission.
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Together, Anahi and JJ represent the vision, resilience, and commitment that define Journey Forward’s legacy.