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About
Our Mission Statement
We are committed to making college and career planning accessible, engaging, and financially sustainable through our nonprofit organization. By offering career coaching, gamified learning, mentorship, and family-focused financial strategies, we equip students with the skills and insights needed for college readiness support and long-term success. Our services also foster community and collaboration, providing families with support and resources that extend beyond the traditional advising experience.
At Well-Suited, we don’t just help students choose a career—we guide them in building a fulfilling, purpose-driven future. Through expert guidance, innovative tools, and a commitment to educational success, we ensure that every student is well-suited for the journey ahead.
History
Well-Suited is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Ms. Janet Lavender in 1997. Under her leadership, Well-Suited has collaborated with hundreds of community organizations, including school districts and colleges, to provide essential college readiness support and career coaching to thousands of teens and young adults.
2013
In 2013, Ms. Lavender developed "Youth with a Passion," a remote curriculum powered by the world’s leading Learning Management System, Canvas. This initiative enables students to participate in an intensive course that helps them identify compatible careers and understand the educational pathways, scholarships, internships, and extracurricular requirements necessary to pursue these careers.
2017
By 2017, Youth with a Passion was approved as an elective course by the Los Angeles Unified School District. Since then, hundreds of students have enrolled to create personalized college and career plans tailored to their individual aspirations.
2020
Starting in 2020, Well-Suited partnered with the UC and CSU university systems to employ graduate students as career coaching and college planning coaches for middle and high school students. Well-Suited provides our interns with professional development training to facilitate their transition into life after college. We also invite professionals from diverse fields to serve as mentors for our college interns.
2021
In 2021, Well-Suited launched the first-ever College and Career Planning Clubhouse, designed to provide personalized extended college readiness support services for all students enrolled in Youth with a Passion.
In 2021, Ethnic Studies became a required course for high school students after Gov. Newsom signed AB 101 into law. At the request of the City of Angels school district, Ms. Lavender integrated Ethnic Studies into our curriculum, enhancing the educational experiences for our students.
2023
Well-Suited inaugurated Youth Pursuing the American Dream, an intensive college and career seminar held in September.
2025
Looking ahead, Well-Suited will launch FuturePath, an interactive, gamified education and career planning platform aimed at middle school, high school, and college students. This innovative platform will help young individuals explore potential careers, create personalized education pathways, and plan financially for their future.
Our Team
Janet Lavender
Cynthia Hernandez
Cynthia Hernandez
Founder & CEO
For the past 20 years, Janet has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others through her nonprofit organization. She has received recognition from several public officials and has appeared in talk shows, books, and magazines, including Harlequin Books 2005 Edition. Janet believes she has found her purpose in life.
She states: "My passion is to help others find theirs. Through career coaching, I take great pleasure as a servant of God in assisting youth and their parents in discovering their God-given gifts and talents, as well as providing college readiness support to create educational plans and career pathways."
Cynthia Hernandez
Cynthia Hernandez
Cynthia Hernandez
Cynthia started at Youth with a Passion as an intern and mentor for high school students, where she found her calling in career coaching and college readiness support. She enjoys working with youth and helping them plan for their future. Cynthia graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2021 with a B.A. in Human Development and a minor in Spanish. As part of her role in this nonprofit organization, she is passionate about providing students with the tools and information they need to be successful. She also enjoys assisting interns in applying their education within a professional environment.