Erasing the Graduation Gap for Minnesota Latinx Students with CLUES YA!
Maria López | Published on 9/21/2022
CLUES YA! program is erasing the graduation gap for Minnesota Latinx students from low-income backgrounds like Ana (name changed). Even through COVID, over 95% of our students have graduated on-time and gone on to be the first in their family to attend college.
After the death of her parent, Ana spiraled, growing close to a toxic friend group. She had a poor GPA, but YA! and her mentor helped her get back on track. Ana says mentor, “I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for her … [She] is cheerful and loud and celebrates every little thing you do- it really pushes you to become that person you’ve dreamed of, and to keep going, no matter what obstacles get in the way.” Ana was able to repair her GPA in her senior year and receive both acceptances and scholarships from a number of colleges. Together with Ana’s guardian, they have mapped out plans that are aspirational and achievable. In the fall, Ana will be attending a two-year community college and then plans to transfer to a four-year college to get her bachelor's degree to become a social worker. She will be the first in her family to attend college.