The need for role models, their stories and life tools for success
Statistics tell us that young Latinas are attempting suicide, dropping out of high school and becoming young mothers in alarming numbers. Many sources confirm that regular exposure to positive role models can help them become receptive to learning from their shared experiences.
We invite you to learn more about the challenges our youth face and ways we can all support their healthy development.
Program participants gain confidence and a sense of control over their future, having seen first-hand that it can be done. They leave empowered with tools to help them realize their full potential.
PARTNER TESTIMONIALS
EXPLORATORY STUDY FINDINGS
At Together For Latinas, Inc. we aim to provide an effective empowerment program that results in positive outcomes for our youth. In 2011 we hired an independent consultant to complete an exploratory study to help us understand our program’s impact.
Pre and post assessment results demonstrate that girls’ behaviors improved in skill areas that support good decision making, future planning, and healthy boundaries, after participating in the TLA Program, which validates that the program achieves its intended outcome. According to the study, the prepost survey uncovered several positive outcomes in most areas.
Gains were achieved in (1) the number of times in the past month a girl wrote in a journal (66% increase); (2) girls reported levels of gratefulness (67% increase); (3) the number of positive role models in their lives (25%); (4) their likelihood of graduating (20%); (5) if they make plans for achieving their goals (17%); (6) that they have good boundaries (14%); and (7) that they list out their goals related to future achievements (7%).
As a result of this learning, TLA spent the last two years enhancing its core program model to include evidence-based elements of gender responsive and culturally competent programming that is strengths based and trauma-informed. The result is La Mariposa (The Butterfly), a unique 12 session empowerment program for Latina girls ages 12-18.
We are excited to have learned how we can be even more effective in assisting girls to achieve their aspirations. To this end, we will continue to actively secure funding to invest in our program and help expand our reach so we can support the healthy development of underserved first and second generation Latina girls.