Staff Spotlight-Alejandro Bautista

Alejandro Bautista has been a dedicated member of the Roosevelt community for 3.5 years. His journey, however,  began long before stepping into his current role. He has a diverse professional background that includes working in youth ministry for many years and running his own business for 16 years. Even with his varied experiences, it was his desire to make a difference in the lives of young people that ultimately led him to Roosevelt. He explains that the students were one of the biggest motivating factors in his decision to join the school. 

 Bautista shares, “I wanted to work with and help students”,  which underscores his commitment to positively impacting the lives of young people. At Roosevelt, Bautista is the leader of the Escalera program, a role that has allowed him to reshape the program into something more meaningful for students. While he was not the founder of the program, Bautista has transformed it from what was originally just an office into a safe space where the scholars of Roosevelt feel comfortable and more involved. His vision has created a welcoming environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically. 

“I wanted the students to feel more comfortable,” Bautista says, explaining his mission to make the program a place where the youth at Roosevelt feel truly supported. Bautista’s desire to help the youth stems from a deeply personal experience. He shares that he went through a difficult time in his life, battling severe depression and struggling with his mental health. After overcoming those challenges, Bautista realized he didn’t want anyone else to face similar struggles alone. This revelation motivated him to join Escalera and dedicate himself to ensuring that all students at Roosevelt have the support they need. “I don’t want anyone to be in the same space I was by themselves.”, Bautista reflects, emphasizing his commitment to being there for the youth he works with.

When asked about what motivates him in his work, Bautista points to himself as his greatest source of motivation. He is driven by a desire to be a positive role model, not just for his kids at Roosevelt, but also for the youth in his ministry and for his family. “I want to set a good example” he states, highlighting the personal responsibility he feels to lead by example in every area of his life. One of Bautista’s favorite aspects of his current role is the people he works with. He speaks fondly of both his coworkers and students, sharing that he truly enjoys spending time with them and being in their presence.

 “The people I work with make it all worthwhile,” Bautista says with a smile, underscoring the importance of community in his work.Looking ahead, Bautista envisions himself expanding his impact even further. In 10 years, he sees himself running a non-profit organization, continuing to do the same work but on a larger scale, reaching even more people. This goal reflects his enduring passion for helping others and his desire to extend his influence beyond the Roosevelt community. As for the future, Bautista has no doubts about his path. He sees himself continuing in his current line of work until he retires, believing he has found his true calling.  “This is what I was meant to do,” Bautista affirms, confident that his passion for supporting the youth and making a difference in their lives will carry him through the rest of his career.