This mentorship program will focus on the girls who want to pursue a higher education, explore their possibilities in the technology world, seek fellowship, community service and spiritual growth.
Through events hosted by YCLL, girls will further develop their leadership and problem solving skills while networking with women in leadership positions at universities and notable companies.
We want to provide Latinas a better future and we think that it starts with believing that it's possible. However, if we're not purposeful and don't take action, nothing will change.
Here's what the research tells us:
As a group, Latinas graduate from high school at lower rates than any major subgroup and are least likely of all women to complete a college degree, at just 19 percent compared to nearly 44 percent of white women. (Source: Fulfilling America's Future - Latinas in the US)
While there has been progress in the more recent years, a persistent gender-based wage gap continues to harm women, their families, and the economy—and is particularly damaging for Latinas. Education is the foundation upon which all other aspects of personal and economic well-being are built. People with more education generally have better jobs that pay more, and more often include benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. (UnidosUS and the National Partnership for Women & Families)
The purpose of our mentorship program is to support and encourage these girls to graduate from high school, seek higher education and higher paying fields, fellowship, spiritual growth and become strong future leaders in our community.
Hispanic students are disproportionately low-income and the first in their families to seek higher educations, characteristics that make them more likely to drop out and in some cases not even pursue a college degree. (Sources: PBS.com, DallasNews.com)
We aim to help educate these young ladies and their parents to learn more about how they can successfully get to college, apply for federal aid and grants, and complete their degrees.
Much of the gap in educational achievement between Latinas and others can be traced to poverty and social disadvantage. (UnidosUS and the National Partnership for Women & Families)
Through this program and our funding partners, Latinas will have the opportunity to participate in events, an opportunity that they otherwise may not have or be able to afford even if given the opportunity to participate.
Monica Isabel Martinez, M.Ed. is the EDU Content Manager for Google overseeing the Teacher Center. She is an educational technology speaker, leads educator professional development on technology integration, and supports districts with Google Workspace deployments. Monica has a master’s degree in Educational Technology, is a published author, designer and photographer.
Alexandra Martinez is an operatic soprano who demonstrates her artistic versatility on the operatic stage as a soloist. She is a 2018 Stetson University graduate, with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.
Alexandra is originally from Monterrey, México where she studied a B.A in International Relations at ITESM. She also studied at L'Institut de Touraine in Tours, France and the University of Nottingham in the UK . She has performed as a soloist internationally, including Austria, U.K, Germany, US and Mexico.
Since 2016 she had developed in the field of education in vocal pedagogy and language diction, mainly in the US. She currently works as a translator for international education technology providers as well.
Leticia G. Martinez is the Director of Outreach Ministry for Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana in Brownsville, Texas.
In this position, Leticia coordinates events and activities such as nutrition classes, back to school events for kids, support for the homeless, fellowship for residents of nursing homes, and coordinates the participation and logistics for participating Mission Presbytery Churches in all YCLL events .