Advancing Students Forward

THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE ACADEMICALLY FOCUSED STUDENTS FROM UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES, ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, AND PROMOTE THEIR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS. THE MISSION OF ADVANCING STUDENTS FORWARD (ASF) IS TO PROVIDE UNDERSERVED STUDENTS ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS SO THEY CAN PROVIDE A PROMISING FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES AND THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE. ASF SERVES AN AVERAGE OF 70 AT RISK STUDENTS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL THROUGH UNIVERSITY. STUDENTS MUST DEMONSTRATE ECONOMIC NEED, PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF GOOD GRADES AND LIVE IN THE VICINITY OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE TOWN OF TECOLOTE IN THE CITY OF TIJUANA, MEXICO. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY MEETINGS, MAINTAIN GOOD GRADES, AND PERFORM SERVICE PROJECTS. ASF PROVIDES LONG-TERM SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO THE STUDENTS. EACH YEAR, TEN NEW STUDENTS WHO ARE ENTERING THE SEVENTH GRADE ARE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM. THE EXPECTATI

STUDENT SUPPORT - STUDENTS RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES, MENTORING, OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY BUILDING, AND ATTENDING PARENT/STUDENT WORKSHOPS. DURING MONTHLY STUDENT MEETINGS, STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. THIS INCLUDES TEAM-BUILDING AND EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, AND WORKSHOPS TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE. UNIVERSITY LEVEL STUDENTS SERVE AS TEAM LEADERS. THEY ARERESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECTING THE MEETINGS AND FOR PREPARING THE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS.ASF RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF OUR STUDENTS. OUR DEDICATED TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS WORK COLLECTIVELY AND IN AN INTENTIONAL FASHION TO OFFER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GUIDANCE USING A VARIETY OF METHODS TO ENGAGE AND OFFER SUPPORT ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS. THIS TEAM CONSISTS OF COUNSELORS, TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. ASF ALSO HAS A STUDENT DROP-IN CENTER. IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE WHERE STUDENTS CAN MEET INFORMALLY WITH THEIR PEERS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, ACCESS THE INTERNET, WORK TOGETHER ON HOMEWORK AND ACCESS TECHNOLOGY EXPERTISE IF NEEDED. THE CENTER OFFERS A PLACE AWAY FROM THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCES AND DANGERS THEY MAY FACE ON THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. IT IS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE WITH LIKE MINDED PEERS WHO ARE STRIVING FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS, IN THE COMPANY OF CARING, SUPPORTING ADULTS.IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN AN ENGINEERING PROJECT THAT INCLUDES UPCYCLING AND POLLUTION PREVENTION. PROJECT ASF UPCYCLE IS A COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE SUPPORTED BY THE CROSS-CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND NON-PROFITS. THE INITIATIVE SEEKS TO GIVE ASF STUDENTS AGENCY IN THEIR QUEST TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. ANCHORED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STUDENT-LEAD COMMUNITY-BASED WASTE UPCYCLING BUSINESS, ASF UPCYCLE ENGAGES ASF STUDENTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS THAT WILL IN TURN BE USED TO CREATE A MARKET FOR WASTE PRODUCTS THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE ENDED UP IN THE LANDFILL STREAM OR WORSE, BY TRANSFORMING THESE PRODUCTS, VIA AN UPCYCLING PROCESS, INTO AFFORDABLE GOODS AND SERVICES FOR THEIR COMMUNITY. ALUMNI OF ADVANCING STUDENTS FORWARD (ASF) CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE AND MENTOR CURRENT STUDENTS. THEY ALSO SERVE AS AMBASSADORS FOR ASF IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY. PARENT-STUDENT WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED TWO TIMES A YEAR TO STRENGTHEN THE PARENT-CHILD BOND. THIS HELPS TO EXPAND THE PARENT'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACADEMIC CHALLENGES ANDREQUIREMENTS THEIR CHILDREN FACE AND IMPROVES THEIR COMMUNICATION, STRENGTHENING THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. EACH ACADEMIC YEAR, A SPECIFIC CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE STUDENT'S NEEDS AND TO EXPAND THEIR HORIZONS. THIS CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR CAREERS OF THE FUTURE. ASF IS COMMITTED TO OUR STUDENTS AND ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TOOLS NECESSARY FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN WHATEVER SCENARIO THAT MAY PRESENT ITSELF.

SCHOLARSHIPS - SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO AT RISK STUDENTS IN VARIOUS COMMUNITIES IN TIJUANA, MEXICO, ENABLING THEM TO ATTEND SCHOOL BEYOND SIXTH GRADE. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND MONTHLY MEETINGS, PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE PROJECTS, AND MAINTAIN GOOD GRADES. EACH YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF 70 AT RISK STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITIES IN TIJUANA, MEXICO ARE GIVEN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE. IN MEXICO, FIFTY PERCENT OF STUDENTS DO NOT COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION AFTER SIXTH GRADE BECAUSE THEY MUST PAY FOR TUITION AND BOOKS. IN MANY COMMUNITIES, THE SCHOOLS CANNOT ACCOMMODATE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WANTING TO ENROLL DUE TO LACK OF SPACE. AS A RESULT, MANY STUDENTS WISHING TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES MUST ENROLL IN SCHOOLS IN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES AND THISCOMPOUNDS THE EXPENSE INCURRED BY THEM TO CONTINUE SCHOOL. ASF STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND MONTHLY MEETINGS, PARTICIPATE IN SERVICE PROJECTS, AND MAINTAIN GOOD GRADES. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE GIVEN ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO HELP WITH THE TUITION AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, PROVIDED THE STUDENTS HAVE FULFILLED THEIR MONTHLY REQUIREMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS TO THE PROGRAM. WORK STUDY OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSOAVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS. ASF STUDENTS STAFF THE COMMUNITY CENTER BY PROVIDING OFFICE SUPPORT AND TUTORING MORE THAN 70 CHILDREN FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY SERVE AS TEACHERS FOR THE MANY CLASSES OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING HOMEWORK SUPPORT, ENGLISH, AND COMPUTER CLASSES. PARTICIPANTS OF ASF ALSO PREPARE THE CURRICULUM AND STAFF THE MONTH-LONG SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM FOR MORE THAN ONE HUNDREDELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN. ASF STUDENTS ARE LOOKED UPON AS ROLE MODELS IN THE COMMUNITY.