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The Alabama Hispanic Association has implemented or will initiate
the following programs. |
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The Mentoring Programs are designed to:
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a).
assist student academically and with language skills |
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b).
encourage parents to allow their children to get an education |
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c).
encourage students to acquire a college education |
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d).
motivate students by presenting them with various career
opportunities |
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e).
promote internships between businesses and students |
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f).
assist with scholarships applications available from the
Association and other sources |
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Tutoring for High School Students |
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Scholarships for Hispanic Students |
Summer Work for
Hispanic Students |
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Tutoring for High School Students |
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 Hispanic high school students have been reported to
have the highest dropout rates in the United States according to the
2000 Census Bureau. The Alabama Hispanic Association is attempting
to change this trend by becoming involved and addressing the issues
that will make a positive difference in the lives of Hispanic youth.
The purpose of the Tutoring program is to assist and inspire
Hispanic youth to remain in school, finish high school, and pursue
higher education. The program function as an educational tool for
parents and students to help them understand the value of a formal
education. Parents, teachers, schools and churches are notified of
the program with information of date and time of program start-up.
The first tutoring program was successfully initiated on Saturday,
February 1, 2003 for the purpose of assisting Hispanic students in
Decatur High School, Alabama, with Non-English Proficiency (NEP) and
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) skills by tutoring them in
English, Math and Science. Students enrolled in the English as a
Second Language (ESL) program, who were failing academically due to
language skill barriers or lack of preparedness, became our first
priority. A group of 20 volunteers met with the students every
Saturday for three hours until the end of the school year. ESL
teachers have reported to members of the Association a marked
increased in the students’ school performance, self-esteem, and
language proficiency skills.
To insure that the goals of this program is carried out from one
year to the next, AHA is seeking financial assistance from
government agencies, private organizations, businesses and
individuals from the community.
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DECATUR CITY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT THANKS AHA FOR SUPPORT IN
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE PROGRAM |
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Mr. Sam L. Houston, Superintendent, expresses appreciation for
the tutoring program the Alabama Hispanic Association has
extended to English as a Second Language students who attend
Decatur High School. |
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Letter of
Appreciation Decatur City School, July 23, 2003(.pdf) |
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Additionally, Dr. Stepanie Staff
Underwood, English as a Second Language Coordinator, writes to AHA
how Decatur City Schools have benefited greatly from the association's
contributions. |
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Letter of
Appreciation Decatur City School, Jun 23, 2003(.pdf) |
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For more information on how you can help, contact Vincent or Lupe
Fuentes at (256)746-9915, Co-chairs of the Tutoring Committee. |
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Scholarships for Hispanic Students |
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The Alabama Hispanic Association scholarship benefit is awarded to
students from low-income families or students from families who have
other extenuating circumstances. These awards assist students who
want to pursue a college degree, or high-school students who would
be better served in a private high school. |
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There are two categories of scholarship benefits: |
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1. Undergraduate Scholarship Awards in amounts
ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 to be used for tuition, books or room and board. |
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2.
High-School Scholarship Awards in amounts ranging from $500 to
$1,000 to be used for tuition at a private school. Students must
give schools permission to release information contained in their
student’s records to the Alabama Hispanic Association. |
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The Alabama Hispanic Association determines recipients of awards
based on the following criteria: |
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a.
Financial need of low-income families. |
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b.
Academic excellence. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA (on a
4-point scale) for any semester while holding an award. |
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c.
Each student is required to complete and submit an application in
order to be considered for a scholarship benefit. |
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Availability of scholarships and student assistance awards is
publicized in English and Spanish newspapers, radio stations,
directly through the school system and through programs the
Association sponsors. |
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For information on obtaining scholarships for Hispanics from other
sources, go to AHA Important Links page |
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Summer Work for Hispanic
Students |
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The purpose of this program is to enable Hispanic youth to
experience the work environment. Many Hispanic students are not
aware of their career options because their parents have limited
work opportunities. By placing them in a business or high technology
work environment, students will feel familiar with a variety of work
experiences and careers, be more inclined to remain in school, and
pursue a college education. |
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The summer work program partners with local businesses to make
available work opportunities to High School students. |
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AHA is seeking financial
assistance from federal and state agencies, private organizations,
businesses and individuals to carry out the goals of this program. |
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If you would
like to make a contribution to this worthy cause, please contact
the Alabama Hispanic Association by mail, phone or via e-mail at: |
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Alabama Hispanic Association |
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1595 Slaughter Road, Suite A |
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Madison, AL 35758. |
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(256)325-4242 or (256)325-4AHA |
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aha@alabamahispanicassociation.org |
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