Valoramás Founders’ Grants Initiative – Our Education Community Partners

Valoramás members are currently voting for their favorite of 16 Latino-focused non-profit organizations in Chicago and Houston in our Valoramás $150,000 Founders’ Grants Initiative. These organizations are Valoramás’ community partners.  Each will each receive at least $2,500 in unrestricted funds, with some winning up to $35,000.  We’d like you to get to know our community partners better, so we are highlighting our partners that focus primarily on education.

AAMA

Instituto del Progreso Latino, KIPP Houston and the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) all strive to educate Latinos to better prepare themselves for the workforce. Education is an essential component to bettering the economic health of the community, which is why these great organizations play such an important role in the Latino community.

KIPP Houston

The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) is a national network of charter schools that helps underprivileged children gain access to education. KIPP Houston has a student population that is 62% Latino, and the school maintains an important presence in the Latino community of Houston.

KIPP Houston graduates have been accepted to over 180 colleges and universities across the country, including Georgetown University, Cornell University and the University of Chicago. Overall, 97% of KIPP students graduate from high school and 89% graduate from college.

“Our mission is to develop in under-served students the academic skills, intellectual habits, and qualities of character necessary to succeed at all levels of pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, college, and the competitive world beyond,” says Mike Feinberg, the co-founder of KIPP Houston.

Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago

Instituto del Progreso Latino

Instituto del Progreso Latino (Instituto) was started in 1977 in Chicago as a way to help immigrants adjust to life in the United States. Instituto assists Latino immigrants learn English, secure employment and become U.S. citizens.

“Our organization shares Valoramás’ values in helping the Latino community grow and prosper,” says Juan Salgado, the President and CEO of Instituto.

Instituto del Progreso Latino has grown to become an integral part of Chicago’s rich Latino Community. Over 43,000 Latinos have been helped through Instituto’s programs.  Last fall Instituto inaugurated a health-sciences focused high school dedicated to assisting Latino youth in their quest to become medical professionals and help improve the quality of life in their community.

Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA)

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA) is an organization that strives to empower Latinos through English proficiency and educational achievement programs. AAMA was founded 1970 to serve under-privileged Hispanic youths in Houston’s East End.  Today, AAMA serves more than 22,000 children, teenagers and adults across Texas, including Houston, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

“We appreciate the investment Valoramás is making in our community and are pleased the company has selected AAMA as one of its partners,” says Beatrice G. Garza, the President and CEO of AAMA.

AAMA’s adult education program, AAMA Adelante, provides classes to around 3,000 students each year. The program includes classes in ABE (Adult Basic Education), ESL, GED, technology training and citizenship. AAMA is also the largest provider of substance abuse treatment services in Texas.

Valoramás is proud to support and partner with so many outstanding organizations that help the Latino community flourish.  Education is indeed power!  Be sure to vote for your favorite Valoramás community partner and help make a better future.

Take a look at this video from AAMA, with testimonials from those who have been helped by AAMA’s efforts.

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