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 intensive, one-day program provides 9th and 10th grade Latino high school students with the tools and training they need to prepare for college. The program is held on various college campuses across the country in cities with a high Latino population. In the past, R2L has been hosted in the following cities:

  • Bronx, NY
  • Chicago, IL
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Miami, FL
  • Dallas, TX
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Washington, D.C.

 The R2L program workshops include sessions 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
  • Mentoring Power Hour: An activity for students to engage in a fluid conversation with mentors, discussing the mentor's personal success story and learning ways to create their own

CHCI provides participants with:

  • Comprehensive skills training in three key areas necessary for college preparation: College Planning, Financial Literacy, and Leadership Development
  • Interaction with CHCI alumni who serve as role models and provide peer-to-peer interaction with students; specifically during the Mentoring Power Hour activity
  • Access to a local college/university campus environment 
  • A copy of CHCI's National Directory of Scholarships, Internships, and Fellowships for Latino Students. Created by CHCI in partnership with State Farm Insurance Companies, this CD-ROM resource lists hundreds of sources for financial aid, as well as internships and fellowship opportunities
  • Copies of CHCI's Student Educational Resources, which include: a Pre-College Planning Checklist, College Preparatory Tool Kit and the Guide to Planning for Financial Aid & Scholarships. These three publications, also created in conjunction with State Farm Insurance Companies, target Latino students and aim to minimize the perceived barriers to college attainment and affordability 
  • The opportunity to establish a mentor-mentee relationship by interacting with R2L program sponsors, notable community leaders, local college students, and establish professionals  
  • The opportunity to meet a member of Congress or other elected officials

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
  • A commitment from students to graduate from high school
  • Positive attitude about going to college
  • Better understanding of the personal/financial benefits of attending college
  • Exposure to a broad range of jobs and careers and are given insight on how to pursue  these professions

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.


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