LEAF Spotlight: Lilia Ceja’s Mission to Empower Future Scholars

For Lilia Ceja, education has always been a priority. Lilia dedicated herself to supporting her children’s academic journeys while her husband worked two jobs. As a mother, she was determined to ensure her children had access to opportunities she never knew existed.

Lilia first learned about LEAF through its workshops, which introduced her to vital resources like FAFSA, scholarships, and emotional support for students transitioning to college—things she had previously been unaware of. Through these workshops, she found a community of support that helped her navigate the complexities of higher education.

Her family’s journey is a testament to the power of education. Lilia’s oldest son attended California State University, East Bay, graduated, and is now working in his field. Her second son, Alex, is following in his brother’s footsteps and is currently a student at Santa Clara University, receiving support from LEAF along the way.

Reflecting on her experience, Lilia shared:

"Antes de LEAF, yo no estaba informada sobre la ayuda y becas disponibles. Hay muchos niños que quieren estudiar, pero no saben que hay recursos para ellos. Necesitamos más apoyo para que más jóvenes lleguen a la universidad."
("Before LEAF, I wasn’t aware of the help and scholarships available. There are many children who want to study but don’t know there are resources for them. We need more support so that more students can go to college.")

Lilia believes that more outreach is needed to ensure Latino families are aware of the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to their children. She hopes to continue contributing to the LEAF community so that more students can access the support and guidance they need to succeed.

LEAF is proud to be part of Lilia and her family’s journey and remains committed to empowering families like hers through education and opportunity.