LEAF’s 2021 Year in Review
LEAF continues to eliminate the resource and support gap for these students to ensure they have access to every opportunity in higher education and life.
As we approach 2022, we take a moment to reflect on 2021. LEAF provided scholarships to 150 first-generation low-income students, matched each Scholar with a Peer Mentor, offered monthly workshops, and engaged over 100 parents with the Bridge to College program. Check out our highlights below.
A gift of any amount helps LEAF advocate, support, and assist East San Jose’s students and families.
We appreciate your support and Happy New Year!
In early 2021, LEAF launched the LEAF Center for College Success (LCCS), creating a structured approach to increasing college enrollment and retention for first-generation students of color.
The LCCS has since recruited and engaged 150 low-income, first-generation college students from the East San Jose region and 26 mentors.
Approximately 50% of our LEAF Scholars are enrolled in community colleges; the rest are in 4-year universities, including CSUs, UCs, and private colleges.
Since April, the LCCS Team has facilitated 15 workshops with high student attendance. Workshops address the major areas where we know first-generation students need more information and support: Financial Aid, Academics, Career & Transfer Planning, and Social-Emotional support.
LEAF believes that peer mentorship is a critical component of ensuring student success and retention in college.
Our Mentors are also first-generation college students from East San Jose. We provide a $1,000 scholarship for their invaluable support and guidance to our LEAF Scholars.
Our Parent Engagement Program provides tools and resources to parents in order to advocate and guide their children through college.
Topics include successful transition to college, financial aid and campus resources, academic success, and career readiness.
We provide a $250 stipend to parents to honor the time commitment of these workshops and reinforce that they are partners with their children as they navigate higher education.
Our Student Emergency Relief Fund supported Scholars and Mentors struggling to meet basic food and housing needs.
LEAF distributed over $15,000 of funds to help students meet those needs. Donations went directly to students and have been incredibly impactful in keeping them engaged and enrolled in college.
