Last updated:
May 19, 2004
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Workshop:
How To Start and Run A
Mentoring Program for Latino Youth
A report contributed by 
Theme: Youth, Families and Communities
Moderator: Ana Pizarro, MSW Catholic Community Services
Presenters:
- Ana Beatriz Paul, Catholic Family Services, Centro Hispano
- Virginia Braxs, Hispanic Community & Student Groups
Liaison Volunteer Programs, Dept. of Romance Languages & Literatures,
Washington University
Ana Beatriz Paul—Catholic Family Services, Centro Hispano
When one child’s parents called to say he was involved in a gang,
Centro Hispano got involved. They developed a strategy to work with
that child that involved the police department, his parents, the school,
a social worker and their own organization. The social worker provides
counseling, and the police let the child know that they “know and see
what you’re doing,” says Ana Beatriz Paul of Catholic Family Services,
Centro Hispano.
Centro Hispano works with children involved with gangs and those who
have the potential of becoming involved. The kids go through a tutoring/mentoring
program, experience healthy lifestyles education and real life work
experience. They are exposed to culture and the arts which is recommended
by experts to reduce violence.
Parents are involved through monthly group meetings and individual
meetings. Centro Hispano also serves as a liaison between the school
system and the parents. But does it get results?
Paul says the boy whose parents first came to the organization for
help said, “‘I am not part of that gang anymore,’ with a big smile
on his face. Later on that gang disappeared. If we join together,
less and less of our youth become part of those gangs. ”
Virginia Braxs, Hispanic Community & Student Groups Liaison
Volunteer Programs, Dept. of Romance Languages & Literatures,
Washington University
In 1998, Virginia Braxs, Professor of Romance Language & Literature
at Washington University, began integrating four hours of community
service into her language courses. The students had such positive
experiences, she encouraged a colleague to do the same. By 2000, they
started working in partnership, providing volunteers majoring in Spanish
to help in an after-school program to provide tutoring. Accion Social
Communitaria evolved from a tutoring program into
an equally important mentoring program.
The program serves 30 youth with group activities like mentored discussions
of various topics and activities addressing teen
issues, health and wellness. The goals of this program include motivating
kids to stay in school, developing self-esteem and self-respect, and
encouraging
them to have high hopes, dreams and goals.
The program “provides a structure for them, successful Hispanic student
role models. The experiences are widening their world, opening their
minds, celebrating their lives, ” says Braxs.
Partnership, say Braxs, has been the key to success and overcoming
various obstacles. “The more we empower people, the more successful
the program is.” Hispanic students have stayed in the program, improved
academically, and have started talking about going
to college.
The next step on the ladder of success is the development of the Open
Door to College program in conjunction with Catholic
Family Services. This
will include financial aid preparation, college application
assistance, SAT preparation, and trips to local colleges for 10th-12th graders. Braxs
says, “we really can make a difference changing one life at a time.”
Day 2: Thursday, March 11, 2004
Reporter: Diane Kuschel
(573)875-1395
(573)881-4041
kuscheldg@missouri.edu
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