Aleks Zavaleta

About Aleks

• Was initiated into a gang at a young age; got involved with alcohol and drugs.
• Dropped out of middle school; felt dissociated from the European culture she was being taught.
• Her sisters convinced her to start taking classes at Loco Bloco, where she studied cooking, drums and theater.
• Got so caught up having fun and learning at these workshops, she stopped drinking, got off the streets.
• Loco Bloco inspired her to work hard and save her money so she could travel and learn more.
• Recognized the profound influence her mentors had on her; knew that she wanted to pay it forward.
• Was appointed executive director of Loco Bloco at the young age of 25.
• Has one regret, which is not finishing school; always pushing the value of an education to her mentees.