“New Door Has Always Been An Open Door”

Randi, a proud alum of our employment program, took the stage at this year’s Glow Up Awards to share her story—and reminded us all why this work matters. Here’s her speech:

Good evening, everyone!

Thank you for joining us tonight. My name is Randi Lauderdale and I am a proud New Door alum!

Before anything else, I want to start with a simple truth:

New Door has always been an open door. 

No matter what was going on in my life—or in the world—New Door showed up. And because they did, I was able to show up too.

I joined New Door’s Employment Program in 2020 as a senior in high school confident about the future. My goals were to make enough money to move out of home and go to college as a first-generation student.

I had dreams…I had grit—but I lacked experience, or connections, or a plan for what came next.

Then…the lockdown hit.

Workshops were canceled. My future felt more uncertain than ever. I expected to walk the stage at my graduation, I expected to smile proudly as I received my high school diploma, I expected to go to senior prom.

My expectations were met with feelings of anxiety, fear, and isolation. I didn’t know how I was going to get a job, support myself through college…or if college would even be there.

Everything seemed to vanish, but New Door didn’t disappear. They pivoted. They adapted. And most importantly, they showed up for.

I built work experience and a resume I could be proud of. I developed professional skills and grew my network and social capital.

When I opened my first bank account, I started understanding what it meant to be financially independent and what it takes to build a foundation for my future—not just as a worker, but as a young adult trying to thrive.

I also learned how to speak up in interviews and be confident in what I had to say.

I remember calling my advocate, Imani, now Oakland Program Director, on my way to my first job interview. I was SO nervous. My mind went blank as the destination got closer and closer. I couldn’t remember anything we learned in our workshops. After calling Imani, she did a mock interview with me over the phone—right there in real time. An hour later I got the job [ pause ] and I haven’t stopped working since.

But my story isn’t just a highlight reel. It’s messy, it’s true, and it’s honest. 

I’m 23 and still figuring it out. I’m working full-time and working on that degree. And yet, through it all, New Door has remained the most consistent support in my life.

If I hadn’t kept with the program and leaned on New Door’s guidance, my life might look significantly different.

New Door has become a major resource in my life for employment, obviously, but also as a general safe space.

In a world that often feels like it’s changing every hour and focuses on things that push us further apart, New Door has been my stability, my community.

And community is everything. 

I’m grateful for open arms. I’m grateful for others seeing my potential. Most importantly, I’m grateful for those who show up.

And tonight…you’ve shown up. You’re here…and you care.

I’m here now as an Ambassador of New Door asking you to show up in the way we need most—by making a contribution today!

Because the truth is, community organizations like New Door don’t just change lives. They can literally be a lifeline for young people like me.

And there are so many young people out there—navigating uncertainty—who need a place like this. Who need someone to see their potential. Who need an open door.

I’m still in the process of learning how to pour into myself.

But if you believe in community… if you believe that every young person deserves a chance to reach their full potential…

Show up for young people. Show up for potential. Show up and donate tonight.

Thank you.