HOW TO SUPPORT THE VIRGINIA HISPANIC FOUNDATION
Did You Know?
Last year in the state of Virginia, Latino students held the highest dropout rate at 15.8%, when compared to other racial/ethnic subgroups. Latino students in Richmond Public Schools had the highest dropout rate at 66.9%
Why?
These students are not receiving the necessary support they need to overcome the language and cultural barriers. Public schools lack the necessary resources to support the needs of the Hispanic students. Because of this, these students fall through the cracks leaving the majority of their futures in disarray. The Pasaporte a la Educación program works to create an educational path that ensures they too can hold the key to a successful future.
How can you help?
Your financial support ensures that we can continue providing the Bilingual Mentor Leadership Program to Virginia's schools to meet the needs of the students and their families. Donate today and empower Hispanic youth by supporting the Virginia Hispanic Foundation’s Pasaporte a la Educación Initiative.
Quotes from Students & Leadership Mentors
Sixth-grader Yenifer said "It's my dream to graduate from college and this is an amazing program to help us with our goals. I met a new best friend, in working with my leadership mentor coach.”
Yenifer's leadership mentor coach was Amanda Velez, who is the program coordinator at VCU’s Global Education office. "The Passport to Education Bilingual Leadership Programs stand out among mentoring programs because of the focused bilingual leadership curriculum during the sessions. Middle school is a critical age for kids. They really develop into what kind of adults they are going to become” Amanda Velez said.
When Tania, a Hispanic student mentored by Vivian Callaghan, a Passport to Education Leadership Mentor Coach, confessed she didn’t think she could go to college, Callaghan told her about her own journey — not only to college, but to the Ivy League. After participating in the Passport to Education Bilingual Leadership Programs, Tania made a decision to map out her own educational goal of going to college.
“You start one child at a time, and we tell them to adapt right where you are, right here, right now, and grow from there. Each week for the program, students experienced everything from learning to relax through yoga to discovering strengths, and to setting goals, which was important to their growth", said Vivian Callaghan.
“We always laugh,” seventh-grader Adriana said of her bilingual leadership mentor coach. Adriana shared her dreams about wanting to become a chef or an FBI agent. “I learned to never back down from my dreams, and that my goals are achievable" said Adriana.