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This is the hard news:
- Forty-one percent of Latinas do not graduate with their class in four years.                                                   

- A third of Latinas who dropped out cited marriage or pregnancy as the reason.                                          

- Fifty-three of Latinas will become pregnant at least once before the age of 20.                                         

- Adolescent girls who had a serious school failure- like dropping out- are significantly more likely to suffer a severe bout of depression.  In fact, thirty-three percent of girls who drop out later become depressed.  Researchers believe this might be because girls more acutely suffer the worst consequences after dropping out like higher poverty levels, higher dependence on public assistance, and lower rates of job stability.                                                                                                                                                        

- Latinas between the ages of 12-17 are more likely to attempt to take their life than any other group.  Twenty-five percent say they have thought about it.  Fifteen percent have attempted suicide. 

- Dropouts have an average annual income of $22,000. High school graduates will earn an additional $300,000 over the course of their career. College graduates will earn $2.1million in a lifetime.

This is 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.

Launched in 2008, Circle de Luz radically empowers young Latinas by supporting their transformation through extensive mentoring, holistic programming and scholarship funds for further education.  Circle de Luz not only gives girls the financial means to pursue an educational program of their choice after high school graduation, it also provides the girls with six years of dynamic programming and mentoring.

From seventh grade, when they are selected until they graduate from high school, Circle de Luz’s Hijas experience two to three programs a month that encourage, inspire, coach, and support them on their journey to graduate from high school and pursue further education.  Upon their high school graduation and enrollment in the educational opportunity of their choice, each Hija receives a minimum of a $5,000 scholarship provided to them by women, called Mijas, who are located all over the country that pool their resources in a giving circle for the six years the girls are in the program.  Mijas can have any background and can live anywhere.  They donate a minimum of $100 a year for six years to the scholarship fund that supports each Circle de Luz class and also participate in programming and mentoring as they are able.

See our IRS non-profit designation.

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