This article documents narrative experiences from alumni who participated in the GEAR UP program. The San Jose State University GEAR UP program, based on an intensive counseling model, is grounded in social capital and resilience theories, and is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Qualitative findings from surveys and semi-structured interviews with GEAR UP alumni highlight the power of this intensive counseling model in providing meaning, connectedness, and a sense of empowerment for students to support their personal and academic development, college readiness, and overall well-being.