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C.A.R.A.S. |
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Communities About Renewing At-risk Students
C.A.R.A.S.
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Every year the community is faced with a growing number of
dropouts, of students performing below grade level, and of
youth involved in violent or delinquent acts. These numbers
and statistics, while providing us with valuable information,
blind us to the reality that these statistics are people. Each
number is a face. |
| "Caras", the Spanish word for faces, is also the acronym
for the services provided by AmeriCorps members in Las Cruces,
New Mexico. This community service consists of four separate
projects focusing on the educational needs of children and
youth placed at risk of |
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educational failure. Through one-on-one tutoring and
guidance, AmeriCorps members bring a much needed service to
the individual children and youth reflected in these numbers
and statistics. |
Mission & Goals
The
mission of the C.A.R.A.S. AmeriCorps Program is to increase the
opportunity for educational success among youth placed at risk
through a holistic approach using social services and tutoring. This
mission is carried out in the following activities.
- Members provide an alternative education program to young
students who have been suspended or expelled from school.
- Members provide tutoring services to students in grades K-5
who are referred by their teachers for additional assistance.
- Members provide homework assistance, tutoring, guidance, and
supervised activities to children in a neighborhood program.
- Members recruit volunteers to provide services to at-risk
youth in the community.
- Members work closely with Latino/a students in middle and high
schools to assure academic success and progression.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
is the national service program that provides thousands of Americans
of all ages and backgrounds with education awards in exchange for a
year or two of community service. AmeriCorps members help meet the
nation's critical needs in the areas of public safety, education,
human needs, and the environment. Through more than 400 sponsors,
AmeriCorps involves 25,000 people in results-driven community
service.
AmeriCorps
is much more than a service program. It is a movement that unites
diverse Americans in improving our neighborhoods. In communities
large and small throughout America, AmeriCorps members are taking
responsibility, learning valuable skills, and fulfilling their
pledge to "get things done."
Getting Things
Done....
AmeriCorps
members tutoring and mentoring at-risk youth.
AmeriCorps
members taking the classroom outdoors.
Our
Funding Sources
Families & Youth, Inc. is able to
provide AmeriCorps members' services to the community of Las Cruces
through the financial support of the following agencies.
- Las Cruces Public Schools
- City of Las Cruces
- United Way of Doņa Ana
- LC Housing Authority
- ENLACE of Southern NM
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In
addition to these agencies, many community members and agencies also
support the program with in-kind donations. These donations consist
of materials and resources, as well as providing training to the
members.
To contact us:
Leonel Briseņo, MS, LBSW
Program
Director
Ruth Gonzalez
S.T.A.Y. Director/Member
Supervisor
Debra Elrod
Elementary Tutor Program
Supervisor
Rosemary Luchini Gonzalez
ENLACE Project
Program Supervisor
C.A.R.A.S.: An AmeriCorps Project
Families & Youth, Inc.
P.O. Box 1868
Las Cruces, New
Mexico 88004
Voice: (505)525-3523
Fax: (505)541-4096
e-mail: brisenol@zianet.com
C.A.R.A.S.
An AmeriCorps Project
Communities About Renewing
At-risk Students
Making
Academic Achievement A Reality
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