LULAC Council No. 3128 working with Oxnard College on dropout prevention program
OXNARD – As school-age children returned to schools nationwide, students from the community will get a leg-up this fall through an enhanced high school dropout prevention program, LULAC/KEYS Leadership Academy, with the first class from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24 at Café on A, 438 So. A St., downtown Oxnard.
The program is open to Oxnard area residents between 14-18 years old.
With the support of a Ford Driving Dreams Through Education grant from Ford Motor Company Fund, LULAC Council No. 3128 will expand its programming to serve 120 Latino students, over the next two years, to prepare them for college, help build leadership skills, teach financial awareness, expose them to career exploration, civic involvement, and build self-confidence. LULAC Council No.3128 will work with Oxnard College to achieve its goals. Twenty students will be enrolled for the fall season.
LULAC Council No. 3128 is one of 10 winners of the Ford Driving Dreams Through Education grant. It received $20,000 to implement a program that helps students achieve on-time high school graduation in Oxnard over two years.
“Education is a critical component to the future success of Latino youth,” said LULAC National Executive Director, Brent Wilkes. “LULAC is excited to be working with Ford and LULAC Council No. 3128 to implement local solutions to help more Latino youth graduate from high school.”
The program will be provided by certified and professional teachers, professors and educators on a part-time and volunteer basis, including past KEYS participants who also serve as mentors.
“We are honored to have been selected as a Ford Driving Dreams Through Education grantee,” said Armando Vazquez, executive director of LULAC Council No. 3128. “We look forward to working together with Oxnard College and volunteers to help motivate Latinos in Oxnard to continue their education.”
Latino students are the fastest-growing segment of the public school population, making up nearly one in five students. However, according to the Alliance for Excellence in Education, only 57.8 percent of Latino students entering ninth grade earn a high school diploma four years later.
“At Ford, education is a top priority because we understand that it is key to developing the future workforce for our company and for our nation,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “We are proud to support local efforts that inspire Hispanic students to achieve their dreams and build better futures, which will collectively have a significant impact on our nation’s economy.”
The LULAC councils were selected based on how their proposals used best practices to engage students, such as mentorship programs, after-school volunteer and extra-curricular programs, and parental involvement. There are currently 28 sites implementing Ford Driving Dreams programs across the U.S.
Students interested in being a part of the program should call Armando Vazquez at 805-216-4560 or come the first day of the program at 4 p.m. to Café on A, at 438 So. A St., Oxnard, located between 4th and 5th Street in Downtown Oxnard.