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The LEI of Worcester State University provides a range of programs dedicated to supporting Worcester’s Latinx youth and their families, ensuring their success in both school and the broader community. Research has consistently shown that when parents and families actively engage in their children’s education, there are significant positive benefits for student learning outcomes.
For young Latinx children, many of whom have parents with limited English language proficiency and lower levels of education, effective parent/caregivers engagement strategies can play a vital role in enhancing their children’s academic achievements and career success.
Annually, we serve over 2,500 families through various initiatives covering education, literacy, leadership, civic engagement, health, and socio-emotional learning and growth. Research studies clearly indicate that engaging activities for parents/caregivers in early learning programs can equip them with essential tools to support their children’s learning in school and overall educational journey.
INNOVATIVE SERVICES FOR LATINO ACHIEVERS
Innovative Services for Latino Achievers (ISLA) is an after-school program for grades 1-6 that focuses on literacy and math tutoring.
LATINA ACHIEVERS IN SEARCH OF SUCCESS
Latina Achievers in Search of Success (LASOS) engages 6th grade Latina girls and their mothers in a resiliency-building program focusing on self-exploration, personal development, cultural enrichment, early college awareness, and career exploration.
ENCOURAGING LATINOS TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE
Encouraging Latinos to Achieve Excellence (ENLACE) inspires and transforms boys into scholars through life skills, personal development, educational and cultural enrichment, career exploration, early college awareness, and sports.
One Circle is a program for BIPOC girls ages 10-14 that explores cultural identity, stress reduction, and wellness. It empowers girls and their families to address issues associated with the coming of age, puberty, self-esteem, and the feelings of isolation and depression caused by the pandemic and subsequent life changing events.
ASPIRE is dedicated to engaging middle school students in positive youth development & enrichment opportunities during the summer, while assisting their families in their children’s academic success. Participants collaborate on community projects by addressing real-world challenges, and the program provides exposure to diverse careers and activities in STEM, arts, and advocacy.
LATINOS INVOLVED IN DISCOVERING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Latinos Involved in Discovering Educational Resources (LIDER) is a program that engages students and parents with year-round activities aimed at increasing access to and enrollment in post-secondary education.
YOUTH CIVIC UNION
Youth Civic Union (YCU) is a youth-led leadership program that increases participants’ achievement and post-graduation readiness through policy advocacy education, youth participatory action research (YPAR), and socio-emotional learning and support within the school and in the community.
CLUB EDUCACIóN
Club Educación (Club E) is an adult English as a second language (ESL) program that strives to increase the English proficiency and educational levels of parents and adults in order to fully realize the overall academic goals of the entire family. Adults also participate in a series of computer and financial literacy workshops, and job and career opportunities events.
Early College courses increase access to college and empower students that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The courses blend elements of high school and college in a clearly articulated pathway so participants have the opportunity to experience and complete college level academic coursework. In this way, they simultaneously gain exposure and access to college and a variety of career opportunities. Early College courses also reduce the time and expense of earning college credentials.
Through one of LEI’s signature programs, Cafecito y Cultura, our parent engagement navigators/facilitators equip parents/caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to collaborate with the schools and community. The aim is to ensure that their children achieve full potential. Cafecito y Cultural involves group sessions and special workshops on a wide variety of topics for family wellbeing.
This program helps to improve health and well-being in the Latinx community through culturally sensitive health education and links to local healthcare services with the support of Promotoras de Salud (Health Promoters).
(This section is under construction.)
