CHCI's Ready To Lead (R2L) Program
Wilmer Valderrama Partners with CHCI's Ready to Lead (R2L) Program
CHCI recently announced a new partnership with actor Wilmer Valderrama to promote its Ready to Lead (R2L) college readiness program. Valderrama will serve as the official spokesperson for R2L, appearing at workshops, in public service announcements (PSAs), and other media campaigns to promote higher education for Latino youth. For more, click here.
"With the fastest growing youth population in America, it is important that we properly educate Latino youth so they can be the leaders of tomorrow. I'm very pleased to work with an organization like CHCI that has a long history of providing opportunities for youth to gain access to college and become successful young leaders."
-- Wilmer Valderrama, Actor & Role Model
CHCI Ready to Lead (R2L) Program
Support CHCI's Ready to Lead (R2L) Program and provide a life-changing experience for a Latino high school student. Click here for sponsorship options or donate online.
Ready to Lead (R2L) Mission 
CHCI's Ready to Lead (R2L) program will help more Latino high school students enter post-secondary education by providing them with college-admission and financial-aid information, motivating them to complete high school, empowering them to serve and lead in their communities, and instilling a belief that a college education is achievable.
Ready to Lead (R2L) Program Description
The program offers training that provides Latino high school students with the tools and training they need to prepare for college. It includes one-day intensive training seminars on:
- Getting Ready for College: courses and activities that will support a strong college application
- Financial Literacy: A primer on financial basics like managing credit cards and checking accounts to saving for college, and identifying resources for financial aid
- Leadership Development: An introduction to the "Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership" to give students the tools to take leadership roles in their schools and communities
Participants will receive 
- Comprehensive skills training in three key areas necessary for college preparation
- Ongoing communications to keep students skills and resources updated
- Access to CHCI alumni who provide peer-to-peer interaction with students and lead many of the R2L sessions
- Access to CHCI alumni who can serve as e-mentors to participants by inspiring and keeping them motivated throughout their pursuit of a high school diploma, as well as assisting them in applying for college - NEW
- A scholarship resource handbook or CD, created for CHCI through a partnership with State Farm. These resource handbooks list hundreds of sources of financial aid, as well internship and fellowship opportunities
- An introduction to sponsors and leaders in their communities - including the opportunity to meet a member of Congress
Program Outcomes
- Increased student awareness about courses and extra curricular activities that will support a strong college application
- Confidence that students can easily access financial aid resources
- Increased students' belief that they are better equipped to take leadership roles in their schools and communities
- Express a commitment to graduating from high school
- Students have a positive attitude about going to college
- Students understand the personal/financial benefits of attending college
Above: Wilmer Vladerrama and Hon. Ileana Ros Lehtinen
at the Miami R2L program.
To view more photos, click here.
Above: Wilmer Valderrama interacts with Los Angeles R2L participants.
To view more photos, click here.
For any further information about participating in or sponsoring the Ready to Lead program, please email ProgramsR2L@chci.org.
