Circle de Luz

Join the Circle! March 12, 2013

There is the hard news…

Fifty-one percent of Latina girls get pregnant before the age of twenty.

Forty-four percent did not graduate from high school.

Only thirteen percent of Latino students had a college degree.

And the good news…

Girls with long-term plans or educational aspirations have more hope for the future, are less likely to get pregnant, and become more engaged in school and related activities—all factors making it more likely that they will graduate from high school and make it to college.

Research has shown that a relationship with a caring adult helps students stay in school and graduate.

We want to invite you to be part of that good news.

Circle de Luz is a non-profit focused on radically empowering young Latinas by supporting their transformation through extensive mentoring, holistic programming, and scholarship funds to help further their education. You can help them by becoming a Mija (a Spanish term of endearment for girlfriend), one of hundreds of women across the country participating in the Circle de Luz giving circle, making a dramatic difference in the lives of some wonderful young women.

In September, we will select the Circle de Luz Class of 2019 from the seventh graders at James Martin Middle School in Charlotte, North Carolina. From now until the girls reach high school graduation, we will support them with mentoring and programming to empower them to achieve their goals of graduating from high school and pursuing further education. When they graduate from high school, we will support them with a minimum $5,000 scholarship provided to them by our mijas.

Mijas are women from all over the country who believe in the power of education, who want to make a difference, and change the count. Mijas make a commitment to donate a minimum of $100 for each of the six years that their class of girls is in the program. That money is used to award a scholarship to every Circle de Luz hija (what we call the young women in our program) upon high school graduation and enrollment in a further educational opportunity.

We need at least 50 mijas to provide this life changing opportunity to at least 5 new hijas. Mijas can have any background and can live anywhere. Will you consider joining this powerful group of women making a difference?

You do not need to make your donation for the 2013-2014 school year at this time. To join the circle, please complete this Letter of Commitment.. We then ask that 1/2 of your year’s commitment be paid by September 15 and the other half by March 15, 2014 (don’t worry, we’ll send you a reminder when the time comes). You are welcome to mail or scan and email by following the directions on the form.

And a bonus for signing up by June 10, 2013:  We have partnered with Karina Dresses out of Brooklyn to give one new mija a brand new dress.  Every new mija who has submitted a Letter of Commitment by June 10th will be entered in the raffle to win a Karina dress.

Have more questions?  Email us at circledeluz@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping empower the lives of amazing young women!

Now Hiring a Program Manager February 13, 2013

Overview 

Circle de Luz is a Charlotte-based non-profit that radically empowers young Latinas by supporting their transformation through extensive, mentoring, holistic programming and scholarship funds for further education.  We begin working with Latinas in seventh grade and they move through our program as a cohort group until high school graduation. Each Circle de Luz class experiences monthly programs that empower them to be more academically successful, prepare them for their futures, expose them to unique opportunities, encourage them to be responsible for their health and wellbeing, and allow them to contribute to their communities.  Upon graduation, each of our program participants receives a minimum of a $5,000 scholarship to support her plans for further education.

Circle de Luz currently has three classes enrolled in the program and will induct its fourth class this fall.  The organization provides a deep, impactful program and mentoring experience to its fifteen current members and is supported by over 150 m’ijas, the donors who make our scholarships possible.  The organization is governed by an eight person Board of Directors.

Circle de Luz is committed to creating a growth strategy that ensures the highest quality program and the maximum positive outcomes possible for the young women we serve and our community. To this end, the organization is currently seeking a person to serve in the part-time position of Program Manager.

Vision and Beliefs

Immersed in an experiential culture of learning, Latinas served by Circle de Luz demonstrate resilience, confidence and authenticity as they complete high school & pursue further education.

   We believe that…

• Every child deserves access to education and the opportunity to pursue her potential.
• Latinas face numerous unique challenges that deserve our community’s attention.
• Education is fundamental to personal success.
• Compassionate mentoring facilitates possibility & empowerment.
• Exposure to opportunity matters.
• Cultivating a community of leadership and service creates engaged citizens of the world.
• Supporting our hijas (members) means embracing and being accessible to their families.
• Measuring impact & evaluating our processes is essential to our success.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Program Manager will…

• Ensure strategic focus on our mission, vision, and values.
• Oversee strategy for program development and delivery.
• Maintain financial agreements and positive relationships with all funders: granters, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.
• Manage the daily logistics of the organization.

Principal Responsibilities

This job description reflects essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

• Work closely with Board of Directors to establish, coordinate, and implement a thoughtful, comprehensive program and a comprehensive growth strategy with measurable outcomes
• Track and assess outcomes
• Serve as key contact and relationship manager for Circle de Luz with the goal of creating long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships
• Manage and promote a communications strategy with support of PR/ Marketing Officer that advances work and partnerships of the organization.
• Produce our newsletter, annual report and other marketing materials
  • Maintain website and social media platforms
  • Oversee the creation and implementation of fund development processes including grant writing and reporting, organizing and executing Run Big Dream Big, obtaining corporate sponsorships, Karina Dress party, facilitating our annual necklace sale and alternative gift program that are designed to ensure sustainability and quality programming
  • Plan and execute our major events such as State of the Circle, our recognition ceremony, graduation, and thank you programs.
  • Work closely with Class Captains and Board Chair to plan annual programming and then support Class Captains by scheduling and booking programs
  • Monitor financials and provide necessary tax receipts and documentation to funders with support of Treasurer and bookkeeper while providing monthly updates to Board of Directors
  • Facilitate our background check process
  • Directly supervise any collegiate interns

General Responsibilities

• Embrace and nurture a culture that promotes leadership, alignment with core values, innovation, strategic thinking and data-driven outcomes
• Advance the organization’s culture of mindful and open-hearted leadership
• Instill a communication dynamic oriented towards connectedness and completeness in our efforts
• Serve as a role model for Circle de Luz; exhibit its core values and work to achieve the mission
• Develop positive relationships with hijas, their families, m’ijas (scholarship funders), other volunteers, board members, community members and funders
• Any other duties deemed necessary by the Board of Directors

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree
• Experience in successfully managing programs or a business including financial management preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of achieving goals and leading others.
• Previous experience working with a non-profit as a staffer or board member highly preferred.
• Grant writing experience preferred.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.
• Fluency with computer systems, Microsoft Office applications, Google Drive, and databases.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• High degree of self-motivation, proven ability to work independently, consistently multi-task and manage a varied and heavy workload
• Emotional intelligence; with an ability to keenly listen to and understand needs of our hijas, their families, our m’ijas, other funders, and our leadership in order to establish and maintain mutually beneficial relationships
• Ability to thrive in a creative, fast-moving, mission-driven culture
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and move work forward on numerous fronts simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including talent in relationship-building, public presentations, and writing.
• High level of maturity with an ability to build trust, influence others and relate to a wide variety of stakeholders in order to achieve goals
• Strong capacity to develop comprehensive, programmatic, and organization building strategies for growth.
• Capacity to elicit confidence by leading through the vision and values of Circle de Luz
• Ability to analyze and translate data into options for action with an understanding of mission, values, beliefs, and impact
• Enthusiasm combined with a genuine commitment to and passion for the mission of Circle de Luz.

Work Environment

This position is based in Charlotte, NC and is a part-time, non-exempt position requiring 20 hours of work a week.  Some of those hours are flexible and a possibility for some of the hours to be done remotely. Some weekend work required.  Compensation is $20 an hour for a maximum of twenty hours a week.  There are 10 holidays and 10 days of vacation and sick time per year. 

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter, including the names and contact information for three references by email to circledeluz@gmail.com by March 1, 2013.  No phone calls please.

Our Mission, Values, and Guiding Beliefs August 5, 2011

Our Mission 

Circle de Luz radically empowers young Latinas by supporting their transformation through extensive, mentoring, holistic programming and scholarship funds for further education.

Our Vision

Immersed in an experiential culture of learning, Latinas served by Circle de Luz demonstrate resilience, confidence and authenticity as they complete high school & pursue further education.

Our Guiding Beliefs 

Go to Circle de Luz _Mission Visions and beliefs for easy printing.

Run Big Dream Big II November 1, 2010

Every month, we offer 3-5 programs for each of our Circle de Luz classes (and they are constantly asking for more!).  But to make these events happen, we need funds.  Every single dollar from your annual commitment as a M’ija goes directly to scholarships.  Programming dollars come from sales of our Circle de Luz necklace, grants, and any other fundraising or sponsorships we are able to secure.  We have big plans for our girls, but we need the funds to back up those dreams.  Won’t you join us by going the distance for Circle de Luz? 

On March 12, 2011, our goal is to have at least 30 M’ijas and friends (they don’t have to be M’ijas and they do not have to be women) run and/or walk the Corporate Cup 5k race in downtown Charlotte as a celebration of raising funds for Circle de Luz.  If you aren’t in Charlotte or can’t travel to Charlotte, keep reading because we have an option for you, too.  Here is how it will work: 

The Corporate Cup has a 5k (3.1 miles) distance and you can run or walk (or run/walk) the course.  We are looking for at least 30 people to commit to participating in the Corporate Cup and using it as an impetus to raise funds for Circle de Luz.  We’re calling it Run Big, Dream Big II.  Your goal?  $380.  Why $380?  There are 19 Hijas in Circle de Luz, and we are asking each participant to raise $20 for each girl.  By raising $380, you will provide 3 programs for the girls sometime in the following year. 

If you decide to go for it, what happens?  Well, first, you’ll receive a packet from us of information on training for the event, registration for the event, and how to set up your fundraising web-site.  Want to check one out from last year?  Look at Rosie’s here.       You will also get a sample letter to send to your friends and family to begin your solicitation for the run.  Finally, as things get underway officially in January, we will organize group runs for the Hijas and M’ijas who can participate on Saturdays in January and February and provide any additional help you might need leading up to race day. 

What we need right now is to know who is in.  Send an email to circledeluz@gmail.com as soon as possible to let us know if you’d like to do it and if you have anyone who also wants to do this with you.  Once we have our team, we’ll send the welcome email with all the details you need. 

Don’t live in Charlotte but would like to participate?  We’d love to have you.  Last year, more than 10 women traveled to Charlotte for the run.  We’re looking to organize a dinner event on the eve of the race and can help you find accommodations, too.   

If you aren’t able to travel here but would like to do a run or walk in your community to raise money for Circle de Luz, just let us know via email and we’ll help you work out the details and find a race that works for you in your area! 

 Thanks so much for considering this great opportunity to enhance our program offerings! 

Mentors Witness Change in Girls September 8, 2010

A local newspaper tells the Circle de Luz story.