Did you know that 41% of Latinas do not graduate high school in four years and that only 19% of Latinas have a college degree? Circle de Luz, with the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC), is working to change that by supporting young Latinas with a six-year program that includes mentoring and scholarship funds. The organization is focused not only on helping young women but also helping families as a whole achieve upward economic mobility by emphasizing education.
Circle de Luz connects with girls in 6th grade and follows them closely through to their senior year of high school. The women of the Junior League on the Circle de Luz placement partner with a student as a mentor, meeting four times a year on Saturdays for College 101 courses led by Circle de Luz. The classes cover such topics as how to apply for college, what colleges are looking for (e.g., good grades, volunteer work, sports), what a FAFSA is, how to prepare for the SATs and how to calculate your grade point average. In addition to the class meetings, the mentors touch base informally with the students about once a month over coffee or lunch.
In particular, the girls ask questions about the education required for different types of jobs and how much money they pay. Mentors have answered questions about everything from doing makeup for a living to what it takes to become a lawyer.
Christina Acosta, the Vice Chair for the JLC Circle de Luz Committee, said, “As a first-generation Latina American woman I know firsthand the struggle young Latina women face and the obstacles facing them. Having achieved both an MBA and Masters of Science I enjoy talking to the girls about how education helped me achieve a wonderful career, but it also takes a lot of hard work. I try to inspire them and let them know that if they work hard in school, that they too can be whatever they want to be. I grew up with my father always telling me, ‘the world can take everything from you mi hija, but it can never take your education’ and that is what I like to remind the girls.”
She continued, “Unfortunately today there is increasing hostility for Latinos and immigrants as a whole in the United States, so I enjoy talking to the girls about feeling unwelcomed in the United States and I hope to inspire them to be examples of determination and strength. I hope I teach them that no matter what anyone says, the best revenge is to be everything that they said you could never be. So be kind, be honest and be educated so that you can face ignorance with being an example of the true American Dream. Circle de Luz gives Junior League members the opportunity to directly impact a young woman’s life, to inspire her to see her full potential and be a part of something truly significant.”
Written by Sarah Wetenhall
