| Description |
Nonprofit organizations have been at the forefront of helping newly-arrived immigrants and refugees integrate into society, advocating for marginalized communities, and ensuring that Latina/o youth are reaching for higher education. Nonprofit organizations have helped to fill in the gaps that the United States government has been unable to fill. This honors thesis focuses on the role of nonprofit organizations in promoting higher education among Latina/o youth by analyzing and evaluating Latinos in Action (LIA), a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Latino youth to be college- and career-ready. LIA has sought to help many Latina/o youth graduate from high school and go to college through its program which emphasizes the development of personal assets and the achievement of excellence in education, service, and leadership. In order to assess LIA, an online survey was given to the members of the University of Utah College LIA Chapter to gather their perceptions on LIA's impact in their lives. My research indicates that many LIA students believe that LIA has helped them to develop personal and cultural assets, prepare for higher education, engage in service activities within their local communities, and develop leadership skills. I hope this research helps to strengthen nonprofit organizations, such as LIA, to reduce some of the education barriers and challenges facing Latina/o youth today. |
