2024 Education Year in Review

 

2024 Early Childhood Education Year in Review

2024 CHICAS Year in Review

Blazers Basketball Youth Clinic
This event was a tremendous success, giving our young athletes the chance to explore basketball while fostering teamwork and confidence. The Portland Trail Blazers generously provided families with tickets to an evening game, making it a memorable and exciting family outing—an opportunity often out of reach for many due to financial barriers.

Makerspace Opening
By the end of 2024, we will have hosted three workshops in the new Makerspace at the Cornelius Library, engaging groups from elementary, middle, and high schools. These workshops not only introduce youth to exciting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) opportunities but also reintroduce families to the library and their community. Families have shared that they now feel welcomed in spaces where they previously felt excluded. The Makerspace officially opened in September 2024 and has already become a hub of creativity and inclusion.

ZooLights
Middle and high school Chicas enjoyed a magical evening at ZooLights, thanks to free access provided by the Oregon Zoo. This festive outing created a fun and engaging atmosphere for bonding with peers and Youth Advocates, strengthening relationships while celebrating the season.

Identity and Culture Session
In a special after-school session, high school Chicas explored the theme of identity and culture by learning how to make pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish. This hands-on activity fostered a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage, while encouraging the youth to celebrate and share their unique identities.

Program Achievements for 2023-24

  • Youth Served in After-School Sessions: 643

  • Youth Served in Soccer Academy: 124

  • Youth Served in Summer Camps: 102

  • Field Trips Offered: 24

  • High School Graduation Rate: 100%

These milestones highlight the Chicas Program's ongoing commitment to creating meaningful experiences that empower youth, celebrate diversity, and strengthen community connections.

2024 Adult Education Year in Review

We served a total of 204 participants in the Adult Education Program:

  • 2 GED graduates: Martha García and Erika Rodríguez.

  • 18 GED students passed state exams.

  • 70% of our English class participants met state standards for a basic-level class.

  • 10% of our English class participants achieved state standards to advance to an advanced-level class.

  • We successfully completed the first year of the Digital Skills for Life (DS4L) program in collaboration with Unidos US, serving approximately 122 participants as part of the program.

  • 116 participants engaged in family involvement activities and community services.

2024 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT YEAR IN REVIEW

During 2024, we facilitated three important workshops: Crianza con Cariño (Parenting with Care) 0-12 Years, Strengthening Families, and Me Cuido, Te Cuido (I Take Care of Myself, I Take Care of You), in collaboration with the Chicas team and another led by our Family Education (FE) team.

A significant achievement worth highlighting is the creation of a support group for Neurodivergent Families, in collaboration with FACT Oregon. This group initially started with families from Early Childhood Education (ECE) and will soon be expanded to the broader community.

Additionally, we continued supporting Preschool Promise enrollments, successfully filling all classrooms and generating a waiting list for each one. The PACT activity also continues with the valuable participation of families from ECE and PP.