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HistoryThrough the efforts of the community of a church (Cristo Rey Catholic Church) in East Austin, Forming, Uniting, Educating Neighbors Toward Excellence (La FUENTE Learning Center) was formed in September, 2001. FUENTE was housed for six years at the church and has now grown to having its own location. This will be housed at 758 Springdale Road, Austin, Texas 78702. It continues to be housed in a densely populated Hispanic section of Austin. It’s a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. FUENTE Learning Center is unique in that its programs address specific educational and formational needs identified by a disproportionately low socioeconomic minority community with a large number of high school dropouts. It is committed to providing high quality programs that raise the educational expectations of all who come to learn.
FUNETE ™ uniqueness continues in that a full time executive director without any compensation directs it and has no full time paid staff. All funds received are invested in implementing its educational programs. Mission & GoalsThe mission of La FUENTE Learning Center is to quench the educational
FUENTE is a place people come to fulfill their dreams of improving their educational quality of life. Through its various educational programs FUENTE serves over 800 youth and adults yearly. Every day a dream become a reality: 1) high school students who are on the verge of dropping out are earning high school credits with the HOPE of graduating from their home school; 2) middle and high school students come to do court order community service and attend a 30-hour survival workshop and leave with a new resolve to not break the law but to do better in school; 3) elementary students learn to appreciate their Mexican heritage through a fun camp during the summer 4) adults discover the printed word as they learn to read and right in their Spanish native language; 5) other adults are learning English which in many instances is necessary for them to keep their job; 6) mothers receive re-enforcement in parenting skills; and 7) women show joy in their sewing accomplishments as they learn to sew! Board of Directors, Administration and StaffLa FUENTE Learning Center is governed by a board of ten directors. The daily operation of La FUENTE Learning Center is the responsibility of the Executive Director, who generously shares of her time and talent, working full-time for La FUENTE without compensation (at present). Paid staff include: 1 part-time English as a Second Language/Civics (EL/Civics) Coordinator, four part-time EL/Civics instructors, 1 El/Civics clerk; 2 part-time Austin ISD teachers who assist in the high school credit recovery program; 1 Youth Skills Coordinator; 1 Spanish Literacy Facilitator; 1 Child Care Provider. In addition to its current programs, which include ESL classes, the Delta Program, Plan Vocational, and various workshops, La FUENTE Learning Center intends to expand its services in the coming year to include adult literacy classes in Spanish, using a second computer laboratory, near completion, through which Spanish-speaking adults may earn their elementary and junior high school degrees from institutions in Mexico. BenefitThe benefits to the community is in bringing it hope in raising the standard of life by empowering parents to works towards creating schools that work for all children; removed from peer pressures and other distractions, La FUENTE DELTA students are better able to concentrate on their studies with a renewed hope in obtaining their high school diplomas and looking toward possibilities of higher employment or even post-secondary education; and Hispanic elementary children are learning about their heritage which helps them take pride in their rich culture. Criteria for Evaluating SuccessLa FUENTE Learning Center uses a number of criteria for determining success, including statistical information (regarding attendance and learning), and evaluative sessions by board, administration and staff. Though La FUENTE uses minimal advertising, it attracts a large number of children, youth and adults from throughout the community. Perhaps one of the largest signs of our success in the past year is that various groups, not-for-profit organizations, and community programs are now approaching La FUENTE regarding the possibility of forming partnerships. This indicates that we are providing quality programs, even for a challenging population, a population in turn thirsting for such quality programs. Our most important criteria is parents feeling empowered and are using what they have learned in our workshops to communicate with their children's schools; ESL students bringing others with them because they know they are learning English in a nurturing environment; Delta students waiting outside until the doors open at 5:30 p.m. for classes starting at 6:00 p.m. List of Board of Directors·
Olga Cuellar, Executive Director ·
Frank Martinez, Member ·
Frances Martinez, Member ·
Tony Diaz, Member ·
Robert Cuellar, Member · Andrea Wills, Member Questions or comments about content? Please email admin@fuenteaustin.org Questions or comments about design? Please email webmaster@fuenteaustin.org
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