Working with Latino Youth: Myths, Realities and Strategies

2. Working with Latino Youth: Myths, Realities and Strategies Lynnette Aponte, Ed. S, Managing Director of Youth Programs Eliezer Velez, Director of Youth Programs Saul Valdez, High School Program Manager

3. 52 Million Latinos in the U.S. • Largest and fastest growing minority in the US • 16.7% of the US population • 63% born in the USA • 74% are US citizens • Growth is now due to births, not immigration

4. Georgia: home to nearly 1 million Latinos • The 10 states with the largest Hispanic populations are California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, Colorado, New Mexico and Georgia. • 9% of Georgia’s total population • Atlanta: 580,000 Latinos • -Mexican 58% • -Puerto Rican 8% • -Salvadoran 6%

5. Mission and Vision • The Latin American Association (LAA) empowers Latinos to achieve their educational, social and economic aspirations. • Our vision is “Access. Education. Opportunity.”

6. About the LAA • The LAA is the largest provider of social and immigration legal services to the Latino community in Atlanta. • Last year, the LAA served more than 54,000 individuals. • Founded in 1972, the LAA has grown to become metro Atlanta’s leading agency dedicated exclusively to the concerns of the Latino Community. • The LAA has outreach centers in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.

7. Working with Latino Youth: Myths, Realities and Strategies • 83% of Latino students in Georgia read below proficiency. • 83% of Latino 4th graders cannot read at grade level and 80% are not at grade level in math skills. • Latinos have the lowest graduation rates of any group, both nationally and in Georgia. • 43% for Latino students • 48% African Americans • 66% Caucasians

8. Working with Latino Youth: Myths, Realities and Strategies In the next 40 years, Latinos will drive 60 percent of the growth in the labor force. And most of the current labor force [regardless of ethnicity] will be either gone or on its way out. The combined effort of every party invested in a child’s development holds the key as to how that future plays out for our children… for our whole world. http://nbclatino.com/2012/08/24/why-latino-parent-engagement-in-education-is-crucial/

9. Myths • Families and students do not value education • Latino parents do not participate in school activities which means they do not contribute positively to it. • Latino students do not want to go to college • There is no financial assistance for undocumented student’s • Latino students cannot attend higher education in Georgia • Latino’s should work in entry level jobs • Negative profile of Latinos in media

10. Realities • Negative profile of Latinos in media • Acculturation vs Assimilation • College is perceived as “a dream” • College or university is almost impossible for their children due to lack of knowledge and correct information. • Teachers low expectations for students • Economic challenges

11. ., Strategies • Create and development a relationship with students and parents • Learn about student likes/dislikes and if a student is struggling academically or socially seek to find the cause…do not make assumption • Diversity within the Latino Culture • Know where their families came from i.e., Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic etc., • Infuse culturally inclusive examples and role models in your classroom and curriculum.

12. ., Strategies • Have school-wide events that promote diversity and culture such as Hispanic Awareness Month (Sept15-Oct15) • Be careful when you have a student translate for you • Why?

13. Youth Academic Achievement Initiative • Working directly with students, parents and schools, the LAA’s youth initiative provides year-round academic support and enrichment opportunities to reduce the Latino drop-out rate and help Latino youth graduate from high school and pursue college and careers.

16. Thank You! Questions? www.thelaa.org Twitter: @TheLAA http://instagram.com/thelaa https://www.facebook.com/LAAatlanta