CommunityOn the first Sunday of every month, Jóvenes Adelante scholarship recipients meet for a social gathering and a brief presentation on a topic of interest to university students. The first Sunday of August is different, however, because this is the introduction of newly selected students to all the existing students and many officers and volunteers they did not meet during the interview process. It is a nervous, exciting time for them, and a satisfying one for the Jóvenes Adelante volunteers, sponsors and contributors who made this auspicious day in these young lives possible.

Twenty-five new students were selected this year, bringing the total number of scholarship recipients to 75, a figure that astounds the founders who began helping three students with the cost of their university education nine years ago. Not only did they not envision these numbers; they could not have imagined that the organization would have selected and trained an equal number of mentors, so as to provide each student with the individual attention the founders themselves provided in the early days. Judy Boston, VP, Mentoring Program, is particularly pleased that the newest group of mentors includes thirteen Mexican volunteers, thus realizing a significant advance in the organization’s goal of being truly bicultural.  

 After the excitement of presenting themselves, signing in, and receiving confirmation of monies transferred to their new bank accounts, the new students were introduced to their mentors. Smiles, hugs, nervous handshakes, and some not so good English and Spanish ensued, then newly introduced pairs moved off to find a place to sit and get acquainted.

More seasoned mentors present, visiting with their students, smiled at the groupings, remembering their first meeting with their mentees and taking some satisfaction in having established over time comfortable, positive and rewarding relationships with them.

 For information about the mentor program, or to sponsor a student, contribute, or volunteer, visit How to Help or email to Info@JovenesAdelante.org. 

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