Posted on January 20th, 2023
| WOW! A record 612 initial applications submitted! A record 375 eager students are already invited to submit the full application! We have entered stage 2, stage 1 is closed! HOW WE GOT HERE! Hitting the ground with booths at university fairs, ongoing social media presence and radio, bus, and print Ads. We served 12 schools directly and 3 more schools through Comunidad Don Diego…We also had neighborhood presentations with attendance from Santa Cecilia, Lomita, San Luis Rey, Montes de Loreto, Francisco Villa, Bella Vista, and Dolores Hidalgo. “Astonishment, would be the word that might best define the impression I had with the visits…We definitely raised eyebrows among those present at each presentation. This year, in order to make an early impact and raise awareness among younger grade students, we included them in the dissemination of JA’s Premium Scholarship Program. We shared what Jóvenes Adelante does and the benefits which students receive after being accepted. Further, we shared topics on how to develop their skills, tips for choosing schools and how they could make better decisions by being well informed…” – JA Selection Process Coordinator Dulce Cerritos THE RESPONSE   “Many of our students did not know that these types of scholarships existed. They were very surprised that with university scholarships they can continue studying. I saw that the young people who are about to finish high school were very interested; I saw that the 3rd semester students were more interested. It was a very good idea to also give information to these kids, so that from now on they think that they have the opportunity to move forward, with the support of the scholarship. Thank you very much for your support, to the young people of this institution.” – Ángeles Marroquín, Library Manager at CECyTEG I San Miguel de Allende HERE IS WHERE YOU COME IN!  For Academic Cycle 2023/24, Jóvenes Adelante Stands Alone in Providing an Open Call for University Students. JA’s application process has always been open to all communities in the municipality of SMA, and this year we have expanded to include neighboring Bajío cities. It is more important than ever for San Miguel de Allende and our Bajio neighbors that JA support as many qualified students as we can for the next academic year. This year, the first return to “normalcy” following covid, marked the return to previous trends of increasing demand for university spaces.  About Financial Support: Sponsorships ➔ We need 35 financial sponsors to support 35 new students; ➔ A financial student sponsor makes a commitment for 5 years, as do most students; ➔ $1,800 USD per year for 5 years or; *** $149 USD per month for 5 years; ➔ Sponsorships can be shared (contact donkrim@gmail.com for more information.) ➔ There is no limit to the number of students you wish to support at a time; ➔ Sponsors with a student graduating often renew.* * Inflation and new programs have led to an increase in sponsorship cost from 4 to 5 years ago, of course. For all tax receipt information for US, CAD and MEX donors, please see our website. Other Ways to Give ➔ JA ofrenda encourages long term legacy commitments, especially Mexican homes; ➔ Special Funds support other program feature listed below; ➔ General donations in addition to supporting program elements below, also support our extraordinary, professional staff headed by Executive Director Angie Argüelles and includes a: ❥ Mentor coordinator. ❥ Student selection coordinator; and a ❥ Student guidance counselor; We are proud of our professional staff that makes our success possible, rounded out by our marketing outreach coordinator and administrator. THE EXPERIENCE & GRATITUDE  “I [never imagined]…that I would find within the organization people who really care about our personal development. It is not an organization that only gives you financial support [to] do what you want with it, it is much more…It is emotional support, a companion for our stay (our mentors, sponsors, as well as each member of the Jóvenes Adelante team,) it is knowing how you are growing as a person with each requested report, someone who is concerned about your academic development (with grades,) but above all it is an organization that seeks the best for us to grow professionally and personally with each workshop or gathering in which we had the opportunity to attend.” – 2022 Graduate Sergio Chavez, Civil Engineering What You Likely Already Know Jóvenes Adelante provides the most complete university support program in Mexico. We target first generation students (we always are open to exceptions.) With this integrated package of university support, JA leads the way in bringing educational equity to local San Miguel region students. Our students with high vision but low resources are making an enormous socio-economic leap via higher education. That is the essence of Jóvenes Adelante! Our 83% graduation rate (the state and national graduation rate is 26%.) tells the story: financial support is not enough to reach parity with more socio-economically advantaged students, but JA’s comprehensive program helps parity become a reality.  BUT…. Did You Know… That…? Jóvenes Adelante supports students, on average for 5 years, and includes their professional credentialing. Our base scholarship + a new laptop is often only the beginning. Additional support is available upon application for: ★ Extra economic support when family resources are insufficient; ★ Emergency funding; ★ Extended support for medical students or, in very limited cases, a change of major; ★ Career development travel expense nationally for conferences, etc.; ★ Travel abroad expenses when travel is related to the student’s major and/or for intensive English immersion; ★ Professional credentialing cost up to $1,250 USD alone; ★ Master’s degree support for selected JA graduates; ★ English tutoring support ranging from beginner to International certification-level exams;  When the entire package of university support is put together, JA leads the way in restoring and bringing educational equity to local San Miguel region students. These students with high vision but low resources are making the great socio-economic leap forward via higher education. That is the meaning of Jóvenes Adelante! The graduation rates tell the story: financial support is not enough to reach parity with more socio-economically advantaged students, but JA’s comprehensive program helps parity become a reality. “Intergenerational social mobility, which refers to the ability of a family group to move up or down the socio-economic ladder across the span of one or more generations, is tough to achieve in many countries, meaning that you’re likely to die in the same socio-economic class that you were born in. This is especially prevalent if you’re born into a poor or rich family; a phenomenon known as sticky floors and ceilings. One of the greatest equalizers? Education: access to higher, better quality and egalitarian education is a powerful agent of change, Jóvenes Adelante A.C. is an NGO that I support in Miguel de Allende, Mexico.” – Roberto Castaneda, Dir. Customer Experience at Expedia Group, and JA Mentor. With tremendous gratitude and commitment to bringing the opportunities that higher education affords to as many as possible, I invite you to either: 🤝 join us however you can; 🪢 renew with us; 👨👩👧👦 or expand your support to sponsor additional students. Please believe with us in the power of higher education to profoundly impact socio-economic mobility and the lives of those who must be the future of Mexico. To be a financial sponsor, monthly supporter, or support in other ways, please contact donkrim@jovenesadelante.org or visit: Our Donate Page  JA’s recent annual reunion. Ten graduates were on hand with 103 current students sharing their experiences, networking, and inspiring our newer students. Several of JA’s close to 100 mentors are now our own graduates! Other graduates are increasingly seeking opportunities to offer extra-curricular classes for our students and to become ambassadors for JA to new classes of hopefuls. The commitment, the promise, the experience comes full circle with gratitude and heart.   CONTACT US comunicaciones@jovenesadelante.org 415 150-0030 Office MX www.jovenesadelante.org |
