Meet the Woman Behind Inspire Life Skills Training |
Founder Kristi Perez saw a need in her community and decided to do something about it. Here is the beginning of her story. |
[Photo still needed from Inspire or the participant (with permission). Featured image: A portrait of Kristi Perez, supplied by Inspire or taken with her permission.]
Every community organization starts somewhere. Very often, it starts with one person who noticed something and simply couldn't look away. For Inspire Life Skills Training, that person is founder Kristi Perez. Here at Corona Shoutouts, we believe the people who build things for others deserve to be known by name. They are our neighbors. They shop where we shop, drive the same streets, and worry about the same things we do. The difference is that, at some point, they decided to turn that worry into action. This is the beginning of Kristi's story.
The moment a need becomes personal Many of us see a need in our community and think, "Someone really should do something about that." It's a natural thought. Life is busy, problems feel big, and it's easy to assume someone more qualified will step in. What makes a founder different is the decision to become that someone. [Interview Kristi: What did you first notice that made you want to start this work? Was there a particular moment, person, or conversation that made the need feel real to you?] [Interview Kristi: Before Inspire existed, what did you see happening to young people who were moving into adulthood without much support?] Whatever that first spark was, it led Kristi toward a cause that sits close to the heart of any caring community: helping young adults find stable footing as they build their own lives.
From an idea to a first step There's a big distance between having an idea and taking the first step. Ideas are safe. First steps are scary. They mean telling people what you're planning, asking for help, and accepting that you might stumble along the way. [Interview Kristi: When did you decide you would be the one to act? What did that very first step look like?] [Interview Kristi: Did you have experience running an organization, or did you learn as you went?] Starting a nonprofit means learning about things most people never think twice about: legal paperwork, fundraising, insurance, finding a place for people to live, and earning the trust of families, partners, and donors. It asks a great deal of anyone who tries. [Photo still needed from Inspire or the participant (with permission). Image 2: Kristi Perez at work, perhaps at a desk, in a meeting, or with volunteers, with permission from anyone pictured.]
The hard days Every founder has hard days. Days when money is tight, when a plan falls through, when a young person is struggling and there's no easy answer. Those days rarely make it into the brochure, but they are part of the story, and they say a great deal about a person's character. [Interview Kristi: What obstacles did you run into early on? Was there a time you wondered whether this would work? What kept you going?] [Interview Kristi: How do you take care of yourself during the challenging seasons of this work?] What we can say is this: organizations like Inspire don't keep going by accident. They keep going because someone keeps choosing to show up, especially when it would be easier not to.
The people who said yes No one builds something like this alone. Behind every founder is a circle of people who said yes when they were asked: friends, family members, early volunteers, generous donors, and partners who took a chance on a new idea. [Interview Kristi: Who were the first people to believe in Inspire? Is there a particular helper, mentor, or partner you'd like to thank publicly? Please confirm spelling of any names and that each person is comfortable being named.] Those early supporters matter enormously. A first donation, a borrowed meeting space, a volunteer who shows up every week, or a friend who simply says "I believe in what you're doing" can be the difference between an idea that fades and an organization that lasts.
What Inspire offers today Today, Inspire Life Skills Training brings together housing, mentorship, education support, and practical life skills for young adults. Its website describes Inspire Housing and the Inspired Scholars program, along with ways the community can help through volunteering, sponsorships, and donations of essential items. [Confirm with Inspire: A short, current description of what Inspire offers and who it serves, in Inspire's preferred wording.] It's a lot to hold together, and it reflects a belief that a young person's needs are connected. A safe home makes school easier. Encouragement makes hard decisions less lonely. Practical skills make independence feel possible instead of frightening.
What keeps her going When you spend time around people who do this kind of work, you notice something. They rarely talk about themselves. They talk about the young people they serve, the volunteers who help, and the next thing that needs doing. [Interview Kristi: What motivates you today? Is it different from what motivated you at the start?] [Interview Kristi: What do you most hope the young people at Inspire come to believe about themselves?]
A message for anyone who sees a need One of the most beautiful things about a founder's story is how it invites the rest of us to ask, "What could I do?" Not everyone will start a nonprofit, and that's perfectly fine. But everyone can do something. We can volunteer an hour, share a skill, donate an item, or simply tell a friend about an organization that's making a difference. [Interview Kristi: What would you say to someone in Corona who sees a need and wonders whether they could really make a difference?]
The quiet courage of caring We often think of courage as something loud and dramatic. But some of the bravest work in any community is quiet. It looks like answering a phone call late at night. It looks like sitting across the table from a young person who is scared about the future and saying, "Let's figure this out together." It looks like asking for donations again and again, even when asking feels uncomfortable, because the need doesn't go away. That kind of courage rarely gets a headline. It deserves one. It's also worth remembering that founders are people too. They get tired. They carry the weight of other people's hopes. They celebrate small victories that might seem ordinary to the rest of us, like a resident's first paycheck or a passing grade, because they know how much work went into them. When we thank the people who do this work, we are not only being polite. We're helping them keep going.
Why stories like Kristi's matter At Corona Shoutouts, we tell stories like this because they remind us of who we are at our best. Our community isn't defined only by its businesses, streets, and landmarks. It's defined by people who care enough to act. Kristi's story is a reminder that big, lasting change often begins with a quiet, determined choice to care. Many of the most meaningful efforts in any community began exactly this way, with one person, one concern, and the courage to take a first step. We're grateful she made that choice, and we're honored to share her story with our Corona neighbors. In future articles, we'll explore more about how Inspire grew, the team that makes it run, and the ways our community can stand alongside this work.
How to connect with Inspire If Kristi's story moved you, you can learn more on the Inspire Life Skills Training website, reach out through the contact page, or explore other ways to give. For interview requests or questions for Kristi, email the general inbox and ask to be connected. Please call before visiting, as office visits are by appointment only.
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