By Don Krim
Mark 2023 in your calendar as a new era for Jóvenes Adelante (JA).
JA affirms its commitment to first-generation university students. In 2023 another 30-35 new students will join our current almost 120 students and over 250 thriving graduates. For a Mexican family, the first to go to university changes everything. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but family member by family member, generation by generation, eyes open; the idea of what is possible expands; questioning and inquiring minds are nurtured; and socio-economic mobility increases.
JA widens the net. For 2023 we will reach beyond the limits of the municipality of San Miguel into neighboring cities like Comonfort, Celaya, and Dolores Hidalgo. Details are still being examined, but we simply want to open what we offer to more students, more applicants.
JA introduces vocational testing for students just finishing high school. Based on research data we have obtained from the Universidad Ibero-Americano, we confirm that 40% of university students nationwide choose the wrong career, and 70% do not fully comprehend what their career path entails. It does not take much to draw a conclusion that much of this uncertainty is reflected in a national dropout rate from university of 74%. Jóvenes Adelante over 20 years has only seen a dropout rate of 17%. However, in our increased effort to select the best students who we can find, JA will pilot a self-administered, computer analyzed vocational aptitude test for our prepa applicants only.
JA launches JA Masters for JA Graduates! For many years, our own graduates have made inquiries regarding support for graduate studies, and finally we offer support for up to six, select graduates on a two-year pilot basis. This program is only available to our own graduates. Master’s programs in Mexico cost considerably more than university programs, in some cases rivaling those in state schools in the U.S. Therefore, we have had to wait for the right moment to launch!
JA operates the most robust university support program in San Miguel de Allende, in the Bajio, and all of Mexico. We offer all our students a premium level of financial support, an individual mentor, a laptop, ongoing skills development, psychological support, and English tutoring. Our students all have the chance to apply for professional development opportunities, including study abroad. This year alone one JA student has studied in Germany; another has held a summer internship in Silicon Valley, CA; another has just won second place nationally for a scientific study while attending an international conference in Cancun; and another was commissioned to paint a mural at a leading Chicago museum. Coverage to come soon!
JA depends primarily on individual sponsors contributing $150 a month for five years to see a promising scholar succeed and flourish. Those commitments begin now—commitments which impact a lifetime.
To be a 2023 sponsor or for more information, please visit jovenesadelante.org or contact donkrim@jovenesadelante.org.
*NGO submitted article
