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2011 SOL Summer Learning Academy with
Ferris State University – Click here to see how local youth are stemming summer learning loss.
The Hispanic Voice
Providing Opportunities to Be Heard. Local “rising 9th graders” in the Supporting Our Leaders (SOL) Program this summer worked with journalist, Federico Martinez, to develop, write, edit and publish stories of importance to them on an online website as part of the Believe 2 Become initiative of the Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation to stop summer learning loss. Click here to read their stories
Navigation :: Family Support Services Adult Education
Youth Services Immigrant Rights Program Civic Engagement
Cultural Competency
The Supporting Our Leaders (SOL) Program’s mission is to strengthen families and reduce youth violence by offering educational and cultural empowerment opportunities. We assist Hispanic youth, age 13 to 21, and their families by offering the following:
Services
• After-school Tutoring
• GED Preparation Classes
• Summer Learning Opportunities
• Employability Skills Classes
(Resumes, Job Applications, Interviewing, Career Exploration)
• Leadership Workshops
• Financial Literacy Skills Development Classes
(
Setting Financial Goals, Budgeting, How to Save, Compare Banking Options, etc.)
• Cuídate – Culturally competent HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum designed for Latino youth.
• College Fieldtrips
• Service Learning Projects and Civic Engagement Activities
• Dropout Prevention Services
• Gang Prevention and Intervention Case Management
• Work Experiences
(
Job Shadows and Internships)
• Assistant for older youth (18 – 21 year old) to access Michigan Works! employment services for temporary subsidized work experiences and/or advanced skills training.
• Monthly Parent Gatherings to empower families to engage with their child’s learning. Examples of topics include:
(
School Safety, Parent School Resources, Monitoring Child’s School Attendance and Behavior, Gang Prevention and Intervention, Positive Reinforcement and Discipline Techniques, and Preparing the Family for College)
Sponsors
In addition to generous donations and fundraisers such as the annual Hispanic Festival and Latin Extravaganza, the SOL program is funded by:
Alticor One-by-One
Comcast
Douglas and Maria DeVos Foundation
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Michigan Works!
Please consider making a donation online by clicking here.
Currently Openings for Out-of-School Youth
We currently have openings for Out-Of-School Hispanic youth under our Michigan Works! Workforce Investment Act (WIA) contract. Qualified youth must meet the following criteria at the time of registration:
• Between 14 and 21 years of age
• Not currently enrolled in high school or college
• Not working full-time
• Live in Kent County
• Able to legally work in the United States
• Meet federal income guidelines
To apply, youth and a legal guardian, if the youth is under 18 years of age, should attend the weekly SOL Program Orientation on Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. held upstairs at the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan.
Applications should bring in the following documents to verify eligibility.
Eligibility Requirement |
Examples of Documentation to be Copied to Verify Eligibility |
Identity |
Government issued photo identification card or current school photo identification card |
Age and Date of Birth |
Birth Certificate, Government issued photo identification card with DOB listed |
Kent County Residency |
State Driver’s License/State Identification Card, Rental Agreement, Mortgage or utility bill. |
Ability to work in the U.S. |
U.S. Birth Certificate, Work Authorization Paperwork if participant was born abroad. |
Social Security Number |
Social Security Card |
School Status |
Recent transcript, diploma/GED; If out-of-school and has not graduated, an verification affidavit statement will be signed. |
Household Income |
Pay-stubs & recent W2s of working family members; Public Assistance Award Letters, Unemployment Benefits and SSI statements of under/un-employed family members |
Disability |
IEP from school, physician note |
Selective Service Registration |
SS registration card or via www.sss.gov |