Latina Achievement Support, or LAS, is a culturally responsive mentoring program that supports local Latina high school students in overcoming systemic barriers to success and bridging the opportunity gap. The program encourages students to reach their academic and personal goals, pursue post-secondary education and opportunities and explore different career paths.
Our LAS Advocates are bilingual Latina college students and adults who provide guidance and create weekly programming to help the members of LAS have a space to grow, learn and support one another. Over the past four academic years, 100% of high school seniors in the LAS program have graduated, and 94% had plans to pursue post-secondary education.
Jenny Ornelas, Member of LAS
2021-2022 School Year
Despite many COVID-related obstacles this school year, LAS had 12 active participants at New Vista High School in Boulder. The group took time to relax and get to know each other at an escape room social event in March.
On May 10, 8 LAS participants from New Vista visited the University of Colorado Denver to learn about their options for post-secondary education and future careers.
Now Hiring LAS Advocates for the 2022-2023 School Year!
Visit our Employment Opportunities page for more information.
Latina Achievement Support (LAS) provides a supportive and culturally sensitive approach to meet the needs of Latina students in Boulder County. The program is youth-led by bilingual, college-aged Advocates who work directly with LAS participants to address real-time challenges, such as coping and thriving with at-home learning.
Advocates meet weekly (virtually, or, when appropriate, in person) with LAS students for advice and mentoring to build academic, mental health and leadership skills. Participants build trusting relationships with their Advocates and with each other. Activities during and after school include:
- Academic support and tutoring
- Community involvement and volunteer opportunities
- College prep and school visits
- Field trips
- Life skills workshops on topics ranging from drug and alcohol abuse to personal finance
Despite many COVID-related obstacles this school year, LAS had 12 active participants at New Vista High School in Boulder. The group took time to relax and get to know each other at an escape room social event in March.
On May 10, 8 LAS participants from New Vista visited the University of Colorado Denver to learn about their options for post-secondary education and future careers.
“I’m an immigrant student, so it’s been hard because you don’t know if you have the same opportunities as other students or if I can go to college and get a degree… So, for me, [LAS is] empowering and supportive just because I’ve gotten to know more about college, how to go to college, [and] what college has to offer for us. That’s really changed my life because I’ve been wanting to go to college since I can remember.
Thank you a lot, a lot [for] the amazing tours that I’ve gone to, amazing field trips that we’ve gone to. I’ve never gotten to do that because I’ve never really been offered those opportunities.” – Elizabeth Merazgordillo, Member of LAS
Boulder YWCA Program Helping Bridge Latina Achievement Gap – CBS 4, January 1, 2019
If you would like more information about this program, please email Marisol Garcia, Manager of Community Engagement and Equity, at mgarcia@ywcaboulder.org.
Thank you to City of Boulder Housing and Human Services Department for your grant funding for Latina Achievement Support!