[The following final update was written by the organization and then sent to us for further sharing.]

With support from LA2050, the Goldhirsh Foundation, and the Hilton Foundation, Para Los Niños (PLN) Youth Workforce Services (YWS) provided college access and persistence services to 357 youth, including 141 high school seniors, 190 college students, and 26 YWS alumni. High school seniors participated in a comprehensive college access program, which provided tailored support to ensure the successful attainment of a high school diploma and preparation for higher education; while college students and YWS alumni engaged in services focused on college persistence and retention, providing crucial support to help them stay on track to complete their postsecondary education. Through the LA2050 project, high school seniors, college students, and YWS alumni received targeted resources, guidance, and programming to help navigate critical educational and career transitions to promote economic advancement.

College Access

The college access program offered a combination of workshops, one-on-one advising, and family engagement to equip students with tools and confidence to navigate the college application and enrollment process. High school seniors successfully worked their way through PLN’s college access curriculum, which included bi-weekly workshops and regular check-ins with a PLN college advisor, receiving differentiated guidance to address their individual needs. The program culminated in a college send-off event, where graduating seniors celebrated their achievements with peers, family, and friends; announced their college of choice; and received a college sweatshirt and gift card for college supplies.

Additionally, 10 high school seniors who completed the college access program were selected to participate in a prestigious paid internship with Bank of America. Remarkably, 10 of the 14 youth chosen for this opportunity were from PLN. Over the summer of 2024, these students completed 160-hour internships as digital ambassadors at a Bank of America Financial Center. As ambassadors, they were responsible for greeting customers and guiding them to appropriate resources, gaining valuable professional experience in a corporate environment. Following the internship, all 10 youth successfully transitioned to college and continue to receive support through the college persistence program.

In August 2024, a new cohort of high school students enrolled in the college access program. These students have already received critical support with college and financial aid applications, paving the way for their transition to postsecondary education.

College Persistence

The college persistence program provided first-year college students with resources to support college retention, including bi-weekly Avanzando Through College workshops, supportive services, and stipends for completing PLN’s college persistence curriculum. These resources, along with experiential learning activities such as a day at Sony Studios, enriched college students’ learning and encouraged college retention. Eligible students were also connected to paid internship opportunities, allowing them to gain professional experience and financial stability.

During the summer and fall of 2024, PLN partnered with USC and Cal State LA to provide 50 college students with paid internships, each ranging from 120 to 160 hours. At Cal State LA, 32 first-generation college students, starting as freshmen or transfer students, gained on-campus experience designed to support their transition into higher education. At USC, students completed internships both at the main campus in University Park and at the USC Health Sciences Campus, receiving diverse professional development opportunities. Internships were enhanced by mentorship from worksite supervisors and upper-division college students, fostering both skill development and peer-to-peer learning.

Alumni Engagement

PLN also made significant progress in its newly implemented alumni engagement program. UCLA capstone interns drafted a comprehensive alumni engagement manual, and the new YWS college success coordinator developed an alumni roster to enhance tracking and support for program graduates.

Moreover, as part of our paid internship program, we placed 15 YWS alumni interested in working in education in instructional aide roles at PLN Charter Elementary School, where they have provided classroom support and playground supervision. Engaging with student as instructional aides, alumni have gained valuable, hands-on work experience, reinforcing their commitment to their own postsecondary education and desire to become educators.

Thanks to our partnership with LA2050, we have secured additional funding from UnidosUS to expand our support for YWS alumni. This funding will allow us to provide targeted support to students entering years 3, 4, and 5 of their postsecondary education in the fall of 2025. In addition, we have secured funding to provide YWS alumni with a 300-hour internship program with the LA County Department of Mental Health—100 hours of training and 200 hours of hands-on work experience—leading to state certification as a peer mentor, opening pathways to potential career opportunities.

Evaluation

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, PLN implements a comprehensive evaluation process to measure participant feedback and assess the impact of the college access and persistence programs. Youth enrolled in the program complete pre and post surveys to measure their satisfaction, assess skill gains, and provide valuable feedback on ways to improve the program. In addition to these surveys, participants complete an annual survey to offer insights on how YWS programs can better support them and identify any gaps in services. To further enrich this feedback process, participants have the opportunity to engage in roundtable discussions to share their experiences, discuss the program's impact, and provide suggestions for enhancement. PLN’s multi-faceted approach to evaluation ensures that youth voices remain at the center of our program development, enabling us to adapt and grow in response to their needs.

Lessons Learned

While working on program goals to support first-generation students in high school and college, we learned several important lessons that have enhanced our understanding and approach. One key insight is the value of consistent and personalized support, as students greatly benefited from regular, one-on-one check-ins with advisors who understood their unique strengths and challenges. Early intervention, particularly during high school, proved essential in building readiness for college by addressing critical topics such as financial aid and application processes ahead of schedule.

Additionally, experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and campus visits, significantly increased student engagement by providing practical skills and inspiring confidence in students’ ability to succeed in professional and academic settings. Family engagement was also critical to maintaining student participation, as many first-generation students rely heavily on their families for emotional and logistical support. Engaging families through workshops and informational sessions strengthened networks of support and addressed common misconceptions about postsecondary education.

We also observed that holistic support addressing challenges beyond academics—such as mental health resources, financial literacy, and time management—was crucial in helping students navigate the complexities of balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities. Finally, alumni engagement proved invaluable in fostering mentorship opportunities and demonstrating pathways to economic advancement through education, creating a supportive community for current and former participants.

Collaboration

We are grateful for support provided by 57 dedicated volunteers throughout the duration of this project. 51 worksite supervisors played a critical role in overseeing and mentoring interns, ensuring they gained valuable work experience and professional development. 2 UCLA capstone students assisted with a wide variety of tasks to strengthen the structure of our alumni initiatives. Finally, 4 Sony employees supported a PLN-sponsored event at Sony Studios, where students toured the studios and heard from a panel of Sony professionals; Sony volunteers helped with event logistics and provided valuable advice as part of the career panel.

PLN’s partnership with Cal State LA to provide on-campus paid internships saw significant growth and success during the project period. Cal State LA is now offering internships for students during the fall semester. Furthermore, we are currently engaged in ongoing conversations to establish year-round internship opportunities on campus.

In recognition of this success, we are thrilled to share that we will be presenting our partnership with Cal State LA at the 2025 Continuums of Service Conference. The conference will allow us to showcase the innovative approaches and outcomes of our program, sharing best practices with a wider audience and inspiring similar initiatives across other institutions. We are excited to continue building on this momentum, expanding opportunities for college students, and strengthening our collaboration with Cal State LA.

Looking Ahead

Through LA2050's support, PLN has laid a strong foundation for empowering first-generation college students. For high school seniors who are the first in their families to attend college, we plan to build on our existing college access program by introducing additional experiential learning opportunities, mentorship, and parent engagement. These enhancements will ensure that students not only receive academic guidance but also holistic support to address barriers, build confidence, and successfully transition to higher education.

For college students, we will continue our focus on persistence by providing unique mentorship opportunities, ongoing academic advising, and linkages to resources that address common challenges such as financial hardship and navigating institutional systems. These services will help ensure that first-generation college students remain on track to graduate, equipped with the skills and support needed to thrive academically and personally.

Finally, we will expand our work to support YWS alumni as they complete their postsecondary education and transition into the workforce. Focusing on postsecondary completion and workforce readiness, PLN will offer upper class college students services like career coaching, professional development workshops, and connections to employment opportunities. By addressing the critical gap between college graduation and career entry, this new initiative will help alumni achieve long-term stability and success.