Grace Cortez

Advocate

email: grace@teensuccess.org
​phone: (408) 593-0296

Grace Cortez joined Teen Success, Inc. in June 2020. Born and raised in east San Jose to Mexican immigrant parents, Grace understands and is aware of the social inequities the community faces and is committed to making change. As a native Spanish speaking daughter of immigrants and first-generation college student, she knows the challenges that many Latino students encounter inside and outside of the classroom. Grace’s advocacy for underserved marginalized communities emerged as a result of overcoming the adversities that she and her family experienced.

Grace has substantial experience in working with youth in the community: in schools, assisting childcare providers, taking core curriculum in Child & Adolescent Development in college, and volunteering with at-risk youth. Grace is passionate about youth and believes that providing opportunities is pivotal for the next generation to create change.

​Grace graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Psychology from Evergreen Valley College in 2010. Grace then transferred to the University of California, Davis and graduated with two Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Chicano Studies in 2013.