Building Bridges: A Team Leader’s Commitment to Helping Youth Land Jobs

Into Employment graduates and staff members, including Guadalupe (back row, far right in the red shirt), at their graduation ceremony in Honduras.

For young people across Honduras, finding their first job isn’t just about learning a skill. It’s often the barrier between them and a life beyond poverty. Closing that gap is why Children International created Into Employment^®, a signature workforce development program that enables youth to secure steady jobs, and it’s María Guadalupe Mejía’s life’s work to lead the effort in Honduras.

Guadalupe, as she’s known to colleagues, serves as the Youth Workforce Development Leader for Children International Honduras. Into Employment launched in Honduras and the Philippines in 2009, and, due to its success, is now offered across most of the 10 countries where Children International provides long-term support that helps young people overcome poverty. The program helps young people prepare for the workforce and independent futures by providing them with life skills training, job skills training, career readiness resources and access to employment opportunities.

“Every young person has enormous potential,” Guadalupe said. “Many times, the only thing they need is access to opportunity, guidance and someone who believes in their ability. When that happens, the results can be extraordinary.”

From Intern to Leader

Guadalupe’s connection with Children International goes back 14 years to a required university internship that blossomed into a career. She began as an intern with Children International and was hired before she even completed her internship.

During Into Employment’s early years in Honduras, Guadalupe found herself managing many responsibilities across the board until a mentor, Tom Owens, who served as Children International’s Director of Workforce Development for 38 years, helped her learn one of the most valuable lessons of her career – how to delegate.

“Tom’s advice on delegating effectively allowed me to grow professionally, strengthen our team and contribute to the positive results we’ve achieved in Honduras,” she said. “It was an honor to help shape how Into Employment was rolled out worldwide across our other locations and provide a bridge for employment for so many more youth.”

Staff member María Guadalupe Mejía (center) with Bridmy (left) and Estefani (right), participants in our Into Employment program in Honduras, are pursuing two-year technical degrees in Network Installation at CEUTEC University.

Changing How Employers See Potential

Guadalupe grew up in Barrio Cabañas, a neighborhood in San Pedro Sula associated with limited opportunity.

“Living in a difficult place doesn’t mean everyone there thinks the same way,” she said. “Our work is about showing people that they can improve their future – not just for their own generation, but for the ones that follow.”

This belief shapes how Guadalupe and her team work to shift perceptions among employers who may hesitate to hire young people from the communities Into Employment serves. When her team advocates for a candidate, they can speak to that young person’s whole story, as many participants have been part of the program since early childhood.

For example, Guadalupe recently told a potential employer: “We have known this young person since they were 2 years old, and now they have the technical training, formal education and exactly the qualifications you’re looking for to fill this job.”

The results demonstrate the power of this model. Several of her own colleagues were once program participants themselves and now lead employer engagement in Honduras. Others went to work at multinational companies or went on to pursue higher education at universities. Many are now giving back to Children International and making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Into Employment graduates in Honduras celebrating their graduation!

How Persistence Shapes Pathways

For Guadalupe and her team, persistence isn’t just a mindset. It’s the force that keeps them moving – visiting companies, advocating for youth and adapting to whatever each day requires.

“Opening doors for young people isn’t easy,” Guadalupe said. “Our work requires persistence, kindness and empathy – both with the youth we serve and the employers we partner with every day.”

Guadalupe’s proudest professional moment is when every young person enrolled in the program graduated in 2018. Into Employment is growing each year in Honduras, and is on track to serve nearly 1,000 youth with coaching, training, job readiness and volunteer opportunities in 2026.

Young women comprise more than 72% of program’s participants – far exceeding the global average of 60%. This is noteworthy considering it’s a challenging environment for our young women given some societal barriers.

“This year, as Children International celebrates our 90th anniversary, I’m more inspired than ever,” Guadalupe said. “This milestone represents hope, and a challenge to keep growing. Personally, I’m thinking about how we can bring in more young people, offer more opportunities, and make sure they know that we believe in their potential.”