Watch Berta's Video

Berta Paleaz is a Youth Leaders Facilitator and serves as an inspirational role model for our Latin youth, especially young women. She immigrated to the U.S. with her mother from her homeland in Guatemala when she was 13 years old. Berta graduated from Central High School in Providence, RI. Her intention was to continue her education, however due to her immigration status, she was not accepted to college. Berta was persistent and never gave up her dream of learning. When Berta turned 31 she became a legal resident of USA. She immediately signed up for college. During the interim period, she joined many groups at her church and became a CCD teacher and a youth group leader.

Berta married and is the mother of two wonderful children. In 2018 she graduated from Community College of Rhode Island. In addition to serving as a Youth Facilitator, Berta joyfully oversees the Institute's Logistics Team for the Summit and coordinates the annual Community Service Project.

Four years ago, when I embarked on a journey with the Stone Soup Leadership Institute. I really didn't know where it would take me.  In the beginning, I was a little nervous about how to manage all my responsibilities.  At that time, I was working full time, finishing college and raising two children.  I couldn't imagine how I would have time for something else.  When Marianne explained about the program and my responsibilities, I was intrigued. As a mother of two children I understand the needs of young people. As a teenager like many of these multicultural youth, I had dreams and many complications on my path.  Some obstacles interfered with my dreams.  I am happy to work with the Institute's youth. I've come to see them as family. As we work together, we are all achieving our goals. At first, I started working "behind the scenes" as the Institute's Summit Logistics Coordinator.  After I graduated college, I helped organize the Institute's Community Service Projects - the youth fed homeless people, collected and organized clothes for people that suffered from Hurricane Maria, and collected backpacks for children in a remote village Guatemala. My passion is to help people in need and with the help of the Institute I have been able to accomplish my goals. I can see through the youth’s eyes that they are eager to help others and that makes it easy for us to work together. During the Institute's year-round program, I've been trained as a College Prep Program Facilitator and serve as mentor for teens applying to college. The transition from High School to College is difficult for young people. We help them by doing small things or through emotional support. Working with Institute I have grown from one job to another and I've learned how to multitask. I enjoy the harmony we have as a group of Program Facilitators working with these youth. I'm excited to now be translating of the Institute's book, Pan Y Vino Para El Camino's education curriculum into Spanish. Now we can reach many more young people with these inspirational bi-lingual education tools.  I work with our youth leader, Maria Rodriguez who lost her job during the pandemic. Working on these stories, makes me believe that together we can make a better world. Life is a learning process, and I am delighted I took this adventure. We teach our youth many things that we have learned through life, and we are also learning from them.  It is my desire to keep growing as a person and learning from the Institute.