Category Archives: College and career readiness

Juntos: Our Stories

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Irma Valerio
“Juntos mom” and facilitator

Irma Valerio
Photo: Alejandrina Olivas

 

My son was a sophomore and my oldest daughter a freshman back when we started Juntos. Before starting the program, I didn’t know what to expect from my kids’ high school. And I didn’t know enough to really talk with my kids about their classes, their schedules, testing, or anything. My husband also didn’t really talk to them about school.

Doing Juntos was like getting the key to open a locked door. After our first Juntos session, we became closer as a family. My husband talks so much more with our kids about their education. A big reason was that it was in Spanish which is more convenient for us parents.

A great benefit was to learn about the college financing. We know about all different types of programs, scholarships, and grants; really there are so many options we never would have heard about or thought to ask. Also, it has created leadership opportunities for my kids: they visit colleges, they attend camps and workshops, they help organize new sessions, and they get volunteer hours.

Personally, as their mom, it has made a big change in my life too. At first, I was just curious if this could really help my kids. Then I was asked to be a volunteer, and I was nervous, but I tried to help out. Then they asked me to be a facilitator! This has given me more chances to speak in English, in public! So I am still nervous, but I am coming out of my shell, working with family and community members, and improving my own bilingual skills. I’ve even started working as an educational assistant at the high school, and I’m taking early childhood education classes.

Juntos is great for students, yes, but really it is the WHOLE family, together, that benefits. “Juntos.”

 

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https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

 

Juntos: Our Stories

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Inés
Juntos Mom

Ines Juntos Mom
Kyle Yeager Photography

 

I remember before my oldest son started high school. He would ask me, “Mom, do you think I can do it?” I would say, “I believe you can, but it’s not important for me to think you can. It’s important for you to think you can.” I wanted them to feel confident, and I wanted to know better how to support them with school.

Juntos helped our whole family! My oldest son really grew up his freshman year, became more serious about school, and much more confident. I feel welcome attending parent teacher conferences, games, and activities at school. My youngest son is almost embarrassed by how much I participate at school now! My oldest tells him “it’s important.”

I really hope that my sons can study and prepare themselves for what they really like and want in the future. Whether college is two years or eight years, whatever they really want, I will support them.

And Juntos has supported me! I have volunteered for the program after my sons’ first session, and they invited me to be a leader. I am personally preparing for my GED, and the other moms are cheering me on! If even I can go to college classes, my sons can too.

 

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https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

 

Juntos: Our Stories

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Antonia

“Juntos Mom” and facilitator

 Antonia - Juntos Blog Picture

Kyle Yeager Photography

 

When I was invited to be a facilitator, the training asked us about our dreams. My dreams were to finish my master’s degree. After helping to start Juntos in Culver, I talked with my university, and learned that it is possible to finish my degree after 15 years! So now, I am telling the Juntos kids to go for their goals as I go for mine. It’s hard! But we can all do something to further our education.

I think the families in my program believe in two Americas. One version is what you see in movies and T.V. shows. Everyone has a nice house, good job, and all the kids go to college. Then, there’s the reality they see around them: parents waking up at three a.m. for a job, working so incredibly hard, and experiencing many disadvantages. It’s hard for my daughter to learn about equal rights in school, and then to see injustice happen around her. Don’t get me wrong. We are all very grateful to this country. We pay our taxes and see them spent on safe roads, respectful police, high-quality schools. Our community is so grateful. We just want our kids to have all the same advantages as everyone else.

We want our kids to able to integrate in the community, and not only take advantage of all the positive things America can offer; we also want our kids to give back to this community and be of service to those around them. Education is how our kids can learn enough to give back.

Now, these kids are saying college is possible. It gives them hope. They don’t have to be left out of society any longer. My own daughter observes other young people making poor decisions, and she’ll say, “They need to go to Juntos!” It’s changing the mindset of this generation.

 

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https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

 

Juntos: Our Stories

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Denise Piza

Denise Piza

Kyle Yeager Photography

I was the first person in my family to go to college. I didn’t go right after high school. I didn’t know anything about scholarships, or how to get support for further education. I had to figure out so much alone. That’s why Juntos is so important to me – you don’t have to negotiate the college experience alone!

Sometimes when people have a lot of pride, it’s difficult to ask for help. The Latino population in my town is very united with each other, but somewhat isolated from the school and broader community. It doesn’t come naturally for them to go to the school to ask for help with their kids. Juntos has opened a lot of doors, helping families be much more connected to the school. Parents are getting more involved, even starting their own English and GED classes.

Our school counselor has been so excited! She’s attended every session, speaking through a translator, sharing her knowledge with this group of parents for the first time. A mom came up to me after a session and said, “Thank you SO much for doing this. You took what the counselor said and brought it to my level.”

Juntos meets the people in their own language. Being able to tailor it to the community with different languages is key (Juntos has Spanish, English, and even Native American programs in Warm Springs). Having a shared experience with other similar families is so powerful because people are more at ease, and it’s not as threatening.

Every parent has the desire and motivation for their kids to do well; they just don’t always know where to start. I wish my own parents had had Juntos to help me. This should be happening in every Oregon community.

 

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https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

Juntos: Our Stories

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Ruth Jones

Hispanic Advocate for Sisters School District and Juntos Coordinator

Deschutes County

Juntos. Ruth Jones

Kyle Yeager Photography

 

I first learned about Juntos last spring, and we started our first session in the fall. Before this, Sisters had no program to reach all these families. I worried in the beginning; I doubted if anyone would even come. By the end of the program’s first session, our group was consistent and every family that was invited participated.

I think the biggest factor is that it’s bilingual. Speaking their language means we’re meeting them at their level.  We’re saying, “I’m not better. I’m a parent too. I share your culture.” That engages families right away and builds trust.  This program is successful because we’re not trying to change who anyone is as a culture; we value the culture they came from. That trust and knowledge have increased the families’ overall involvement in the school – more conferences, sporting events, etc.  Everything is better.

 

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https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos

 

Juntos: Our Stories

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Adriana “Juntos Mom” First Story for Campaine

Kyle Yeager Photography

I had noticed that many Latinos who come to this country don’t go to college. I thought that they couldn’t go. As parents, we didn’t have that chance either when we were younger. But now we see that it is a possibility for our kids. I want Latinos to realize that they can study and have the same career opportunities. Before Juntos, I didn’t know how to help my son. I didn’t have the right information on his progress in school, who to talk to with questions, nothing. With Juntos, I now understand that my son could get to a university. I know how to help him. To me, college means a better future for my children; they can study and a have a better career. We as parents didn’t have that chance. I want my kids to keep their Latino culture and customs. I know that they can go to college and keep their identity at the same time. Juntos helps because the whole family, the whole community can get involved. Everyone at the school and in the family can work together to help kids catch up when they’re behind, and to work at their goals. It’s even helped me as a parent. I keep volunteering for Juntos because my son must know that you have to get involved when you want good things to happen.

 

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Tillamook Juntos: Our Stories

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NancyMaydra
Nancy (left) a Tillamook Juntos student after submitting her OSU application with support from Maydra Valencia (right), OSU Juntos Coordinator

 

Just about a month ago, Nancy submitted her application to attend OSU. Nancy plans to study to be a teacher and will be the first in her family to attend college. But she won’t be the last–Nancy is the oldest of 4 siblings who are all also part of our Juntos community.

Juntos is designed to support students and families who are navigating through state tests, college applications, and financial aid for the first time. With knowledge and support, students like Nancy can make their dreams a reality.

Please help us support students like Nancy in their dreams of getting to college by donating to or sharing our campaign to make Juntos a permanent fixture throughout the state (https://create.osufoundation.org/juntos).

 

Juntos in The Gorge!

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IMG_2851“Juntos” (pronounced who n toes) is Spanish for “Together”. On October 30th, The Dalles Middle School students and their parents gathered together with a team of program organizers representing OSU Open Campus and Extension, Columbia Gorge Community College, North Wasco County School District and the Columbia Gorge ESD for an evening of community building and information sharing.

After a filling meal, students and their families actively took part in activities and conversation focused on empowerment and school success. The two hour session was so engaging, participants stayed overtime to fit in one more activity! Childcare for the little ones was a success and included crafts and a 4-H Science Inquiry activity taught by high school volunteers.

The evening program will run for 5 more weeks, but will not end there. This is only the beginning! Continuing education sessions will follow and the year will culminate with a field trip to OSU Corvallis for Juntos Day. TOGETHER, we are building a bridge of open communication to support all students in pursuing their educational goals and dreams!

Reaching Latino students and their families

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juntos2
“My experience with JUNTOS has been incredible. It has changed our lives dramatically and it’s something we never thought could happen to us.” – Ingrid Sanchez, Madras (pictured far right)

Across Oregon educational providers are working together to improve high school graduation rates, which are among the lowest in the country. Schools in rural Oregon communities struggle more than others, and Latino student gradation rates are significantly lower than rates of other student populations.

In 2010, Madras High School reported a 57% graduation rate for their Latino students, and of those who graduated, xx% went on to pursue post-secondary education.

Over the past four years, the school district has committed to improving those numbers by focusing on creating a college-going culture, and they have seen some significant progress.

One program that has been a key component of this success is JUNTOS, a college readiness program targeted at first-generation college students and their families. Originally developed by North Carolina State University, JUNTOS was launched in Madras in 2012 through a partnership between Jefferson County School District 509-J and Oregon State University.

The JUNTOS program, taught in English or Spanish, meets for 2 hours once a week for six weeks in the evenings. During this time success coaches and college age-mentors facilitate weekly afterschool clubs and activities with the participants.

After two years of running the program, MHS has seen the following improvements with the targeted population:

  • Decreased dropout rates
  • Increased postsecondary education access
  • Increased understanding of high school graduation requirements
  • Increased completion of college applications and FAFSA

 

JUNTOS is also offered in Culver, Tillamook and Sisters, with plans to expand to more locations in the next year.