Chicas Youth
Development Program
Chicas is the first youth development program of its kind in Oregon. It provides a comprehensive and proactive approach to empowering Latine youth, 3rd through 12th grade, and in college. We build strong family communication by reaching youth when they are young and working with them and their families through college.
Upcoming Sessions
After-School Sessions
Chicas operates in three school districts in Washington County: Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and Beaverton. Click the application link to see which schools offer Chicas After-School Sessions: Sign-up (English) / Sign-up (Spanish)
Chicas in College
Chicas in College creates a community of holistic support for female-identifying and non-binary Latine’s currently enrolled in college. Sign up here
Program Components
The Chicas Youth Development Program at Adelante Mujeres provides year-round, culturally-specific services at 29 public schools and over seven universities to address educational and racial disparities for over 600 Latine youth throughout Washington County, Oregon. Chicas empowers Latine youth to develop their leadership potential, adopt balanced lifestyles, develop cultural identity, achieve academic success with high school graduation and college enrollment, and build community. This work is done through weekly after-school sessions and summer programming.
After-School Sessions
Weekly after-school sessions cover topics including cultural identity, leadership, sexual health, balanced living, and more. Chicas works with students to reach academic success through the Journey to College series, which promotes a pro-college culture among families by working with both students and parents to foster a love of learning and a commitment to higher education. Chicas offers individualized support, college visits, financial literacy training, and peer mentorship.
Summer Programming
Chicas provides multiple camps every summer. Themes include Leadership, Ecology, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Balanced Lifestyles, and Art & Culture. These camps provide interactive workshops and field trips. The Chicas Soccer Academy offers participants the opportunity to develop leadership skills, learn about balanced living, and practice communication and teamwork.
Chicas in College
Chicas in College creates a community of holistic support for women and non-binary Latine students currently enrolled in college. Through regular gatherings (virtual and in-person), tailored presentations to meet the needs of the group, peer support, and financial aid opportunities, we ensure every student has the resources they need to successfully complete their college education. Participants also receive assistance with Individual Development Accounts, which offer a 5-to-1 matched savings incentive for post-secondary education.
Chicas STEM
Chicas STEM programming aims to promote the cultivation of a positive mindset toward the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math. Chicas is committed to empowering Latine youth and young women by providing culturally responsive hands-on STEM experiences. Our STEM programming inspires and encourages our Latine youth to pursue and thrive in STEM-related higher education and careers.
Soccer Academy
The Soccer Academy offers an opportunity for Chicas students to practice a sport in which they can learn about healthy lifestyles and care for the environment. Chicas develop leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and learn about communication and teamwork through play. Additionally, athletes create and build relationships. The academy begins in May and ends in June with a full-day tournament.
How we empower and support Latinas in college
Program Strategies
The Chicas Youth Development Program provides participants with the tools to believe in their academic and social-emotional potential. Chicas is proven to help participants stay in school, reduce absenteeism, graduate from high school, and attend college.
Through our programming, Latine youth will:
Be self-aware of paths to personal success and self-determination.
Achieve academic success with high school graduation and college enrollment.
Be proud of their identity and culture, learn how to be empathetic, and be inclusive of all people and identities.
Adopt balanced lifestyles.
Be empowered to lead.
Mentorship
The ‘Chicas Advocates’ sets Chicas apart from other after-school programs. The Chicas Program is staffed by culturally-specific, bilingual educators trained in social-emotional mentoring. Among the Chicas staff, 100% are bilingual in English and Spanish, are bi-cultural, and share many of the lived experiences of the students in our programs, including being first or second-generation immigrants. To develop positive school experiences for Latine youth, it is crucial that they have teachers or mentors who represent them in cultural identity, language, and an understanding of their experiences.
Parent and Family Involvement
Family engagement services are weaved together with youth engagement. The needs of the parents are acquired through intake surveys, and home visits build the base of the family engagement events which our team delivers. The ‘Parent Leadership Group’ takes part in trainings such as Emotional Intelligence, Know Your Rights, Depression and Anxiety during the Pandemic, and more.
Academic Support
Prioritizing youth social-emotional health builds the base for a strong academic background. The Chicas staff continues to meet the needs of youth and their engagement in hybrid (virtual and in-person) schoolwork. Virtual programming was increasingly difficult as students were experiencing fatigue and emerging responsibilities at home. Our team ensures that all participants feel connected and supported during and outside of after-school sessions.
For the past eight years:
100%
of seniors in our program have graduated high school
98%
of participants have enrolled in post-secondary education
Why Chicas?
Latine students from immigrant families face persistent obstacles to educational attainment and are significantly less likely to have a high school diploma.
The Chicas Program began in 2008 in response to Latina immigrant mothers and caregivers who expressed the need for a safe space to support their youth in order to reduce teen pregnancy, high school drop-out, substance use, and domestic violence. Of the families in Chicas, 85% of the girls’ parents have less than a high school education, 90% are low-income, and 85% live in households with a history of substance abuse.
Chicas provides a safe environment for youth and their families, where students start to believe in their ability to achieve social and academic success. With high-quality, peer-centered positive youth development opportunities, we can transform the future for Latine youth in our community.
