Fernando Ledezma Just Keeps on Giving Back

Fernando Ledezma, or Fernie to his friends, has filled many roles at HOLA, most recently as a volunteer and mentor. He started coming to HOLA in 1992, when HOLA was still in the church on Wilshire and Mitch and Tony were two of three paid staff. He played basketball on HOLA’s team and came in and out through middle school. When he graduated from Cal State, Long Beach, Fernie came back to HOLA. He began initially working with the elementary school aged kids (before there was a SmartStart) and he then moved up to the high school group. Fernie was the ROPE Program Director for a year and one-half until he decided to go back to school to get his Master’s Degree in Education. Upon his graduation from Cal State, Dominguez Hills, Fernie worked as a counselor at John Leichty Middle School for four years.

Fernie is an avid marathon runner. He has four under his belt and will continue until his body gives out. He loves to listen to music and eating at new restaurants. Right now he counts Korean, Thai and Indian food amongst his favorite. Fernie never strays too far away from HOLA and still looks to Mitch and Tony for advice. Just about four years ago, Fernie came to Tony to tell the story of his HOLA mentee, Maria. Maria was heading to Cal State Northridge, but didn’t have enough money to cover her tuition and books. Fernie told of selling his watch to help out. After hearing this story, Tony spread the word about Maria’s situation and not only did Fernie receive a replacement watch, but an HOLA supporter agreed to cover Maria’s tuition while she was in school. Maria will be graduating this spring, thanks in large part to the support of Fernie, who she still looks to as her mentor.