Latino College Outreach

Yonkers Partners in Education, with support from Westchester County, is offering a five-part series for Yonkers’ Spanish-speaking families, Coaching for College: A Program for Latino Parents. Of the 25,000 public school students in Yonkers, 51% are Hispanic and many live in homes where English is not their primary language. As Latino families approach the decision of applying to college for their children, they face uncertainty and misinformation regarding the process and the opportunities available to them. This program informs and coaches Latino parents on what they need to know as they navigate the complex college admissions process. The kick-off symposium and four workshops are run exclusively in Spanish.

The response to this exciting program is unprecedented. On January 21, more than 600 people attended the series’ kick-off symposium — filling the Yonkers Riverfront Library to capacity and then spilling out into the halls! Telemundo Channel 47 anchor Jorge Ramos delivered the keynote speech about the importance of a college education. Additional speakers included Edwin Quezada, Principal of Lincoln High School; Jose Flores, Vice President of Enrollment at Manhattanville College; Jose Alvarado, Westchester County Legislator; and several Yonkers students and parents who discussed their own experiences. The success of the program was confirmed by the parents' responses. They thanked YPIE profusely for making the information available to them in a way that they could understand and appreciate. They left feeling honored, inspired, and listened to.

YPIE Program Coordinator Bettina Weil noted the great need for the college prep series, the first of its kind in Westchester. “This program will help even the playing field for Yonkers Latino students, many of whom are the first in their families to apply to college.”

The topics for the four subsequent workshops, held at churches and community centers throughout Yonkers, included: finding and securing scholarships and financial aid; coaching your child through high school years; conquering gender and other cultural stereotypes; and helping middle school parents plan ahead.

 

Speakers and guests at the kick-off symposium: Bettina Weil, YPIE; Mia Arce, parent; José Flores, Manhattanville College; Wendy Nadel, YPIE; Edwin Quezada, Lincoln High School; Olga Luz Tirado, LT Communications; Jorge Ramos, Telemundo Channel 47; Yarelis Borrero, student; José Alvarado, Westchester County Legislator; Nydia Pérez, Yonkers Board of Education; Wilson Terrero, Yonkers City Council; and Ellen Cutler Levy, YPIE

For more information or to register for an upcoming workshop,
call  914.219.7929