JLSA students test the strength of paper
in a science experiment.
Students pose next to a presentation of
their technology project.
Jóvenes Latinos Saliendo Adelante (JLSA – Young Latinos Moving Forward) is designed to help Latino middle school youth in Chelsea develop the academic skills and character competencies to prepare for and succeed in high school and beyond. The program focuses on fostering enthusiasm for learning, improving academic achievement, and exploring various occupational and career possibilities. JLSA serves 40 Chelsea Latino 7th and 8th graders who meet at Centro Monday-Thursday from 2:30 to 5:30 throughout the school year. Through structured activity and support during their out-of-school time, the youth participants develop the means to both succeed at their current academics and prepare to succeed in their future educational and career paths.
Activities
Centro Latino believes that a key component for success is providing a safe and nurturing program environment that is culturally and linguistically competent to work with not only the students but also their families. The program is designed to offer experiential learning opportunities to young people, and offer a variety of program components that address the needs of the “whole child”. This is accomplished through:
- Homework assistance,
- Inquiry-based, hands-on academic enrichment,
- Positive relationships with Peer Leaders who are students from Chelsea High School,
- Career exploration carried out with adult mentors, and
- Capacity building for families so they can better support their children’s education.
Adult Mentorship
JLSA also helps youth participants to better understand options for future education and employment through the help of an adult mentor. Through this new program component, the youth participants will increase their career awareness, increase their self knowledge, and increase their understanding of the educational planning necessary to reach future goals. The program pairs the students with an adult mentor to help them expand their career awareness, as well as their perception of how their high school educational choices relate to future post-secondary requirements and work.
Partners
Latino After-School Initiative, coordinated by the Child Care Resource Center
Chelsea Public Schools
Boston Children's Museum
Additional Resources
Chelsea School District Profile: profiles.doe.mass.edu/districts.asp
National Institute on Out of Schol Time (Niost): niost.org/
Chelsea Public Schools: www.chelseaschools.com/
Latino After-School Initiative: www.ccrcinc.org/Lasi.shtml
Boston Children's Museum: www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/
Mass Mentoring: www.massmentors.org/
BOSTnet: www.bostnet.org/