Cultivating Community: Building Relationships and Sustainability Toward Addressing the Achievement Gap in a Low-Income Latino Community

• In Event: Support Strategies for Student Learning and Development

Abstract

Latinos have historically been underrepresented in higher education. To address this social problem, a collaborative partnership formed in a predominately working class Latino community in Southern California to coordinate a college preparation event. By working together, the local government agency, school district and an external non-profit overcame its political differences to bring the community together in an effort to create a discourse in making college accessible for everyone. This unique partnership resulted in a successful event with over 200 attendees, a level of participation which had never been achieved before in the history of the community. This session will feature strategies to forming key alliances, attaining community participation and addressing future goals for collaboration.

Authors

• Sarai Koo, Project SPICES

• Monica G. Killen, City of Baldwin Park