Each summer, Centro SOL hosts middle and high school students to get exposed to professional and educational opportunities. 2020 marks the 7th anniversary of our youth program, which has been expanding in opportunities for our youth. This year we host two career development opportunities Summer Scholars and the Youthworks/Summer Engagement programs. Both programs host bilingual and bicultural high school students.
Our vision is to diversify the workforce through mentoring, counseling, empowerment and education. Read more about our youth programs on our website.
COVID19 response brought many challenges related to virtual programmings like lack of access to the internet and computers. In addition, youth experience stress to adapt to the changes quickly with little support while COVID19 exacerbated the disparities in our communities.
Centro SOL’s team has been in the frontlines addressing these issues and supporting youth and their families. In an effort to promote community-centered programming, the summer program has a strong team of young people who understand the challenges of their communities as they witness them directly.
We are grateful for the generous support from the France Merrick Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Youtworks for the support. In addition, we thank the community sites hosting some of our youth in the Youthworks/summer engagement program including Southeast CDC, Esperanza Center, Creative Alliance, Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, among others.
Summer Scholars and Youth Engagement team
Stephanie Perez, BA, Americorps VISTA, program coordinator of Centro SOL Youth Pipeline Program
Edwin Arriola Hercules, JHU student, CIIP Intern, summer scholars coordinator
Dania Hinojosa, JHU Students, JUMP Intern, youth engagement coordinator
COVID19 response team
Yohali Mendoza, Food Access response intern
Tomas Franco, TRI Quarantine response team
Top to bottom, left to right
Dania Hinojosa, Tomas Franco, Stephanie Perez, Edwin Arriola Hercules, Yohali Islas Mendoza
