Conversation Series

Understanding the Importance of Preparation

Café con Leche Conversation Series

Creating a College-Going Culture

In order to authentically engage parents and create a college-going culture, we propose to implement the Café Con Leche Conversation Series. The Series will provide parents the skills, knowledge, abilities and understanding of the importance of preparing their children to finish high school and enter Post-Secondary education. The Series will provide important information on the value of education, what they can do as parents to prepare their children for Post-Secondary education, and build understanding of the culture and landscape of schools and district in order to navigate and create relationships between parents and schools.

Café Con Leche: Introduction

The Introductory Session: The introductory session is an informal forum for parents to learn more about the often overwhelming and complicated financial aid and college application process. In addition, state and local data is shared with parents and students, depicting the education crisis within our communities and emphasizing how important it is to get a Post- Secondary education. Beyond the introductory session, the following sessions may be facilitated throughout the year:

Creating High Expectations at Home
Understanding the Role of Parents in Education
Participating in School and Community Activities
College Life and Financial Aid 101
Taking Advantage of College Access Resources

Creating a College-Going Culture

Sharing parental aspirations: Parents are the solution. The session will provide opportunities for parents to share aspirations, issues and solutions to creating a college-going culture with their families. Parents will also receive information and tools on how they can create a college-going culture at home, at school, and the community.

Parents and Schools

Developing a Vital Relationship: Understanding the culture and landscape of schools and district is vital to a child’s education and parental involvement. This session will introduce parents to school structures, help them navigate the system, and facilitate relationship-building among parents, school staff, and faculty. Topics covered in this session include: “What are the steps to get information at my school?” “Who is the right person to connect with at my school?” “Who can I talk to for help regarding tutoring?” And more.

Economically-Disadvantaged Students

How to Engage, A Session for Teachers: This training session will provide teachers with strategies such as how to engage economically disadvantaged students. In addition, the session will introduce teachers to the culture of poverty affecting this population’s academic performance. The training will encourage an open and honest dialogue regarding schools’ inabilities to reach this population as well as a community’s lack of support in this process. The session will also promote a new teacher awareness that would support the following statement: “In order to serve this population, teachers must understand the culture of poverty and validate students’ fears and concerns regarding education.”

Helpful Links

Testimonials

"Wonderful program! Cafe Con Leche 'The Road to College,' promotes higher education at the middle school level. As a 6th grader it encourages to be in AP classes, have a good GPA, and com plete a job interview. My son entered the program 6 weeks ago after completing the entry requirements and graduated with 20 other students earlier this week. He will now have a mentor through all the years to continue growing him as an academic and a leader. He's still my Nerdo but has a confidence that is very pleasant if you're in the Wichita Falls area look up this program."

"We just finished our 6 week class and it was an amazing venture. I learned so much about the process of college and how to get an early start to my children's future. We may only be in 5th grade as of now, but 12th is right around the corner. Thank you so much."

As an educator, I have witnessed the amazing growth and success of many students who take part in the Road to College program. Gonzalo and Stephanie are tireless in their efforts to promote and encourage post-secondary education in our community. I am so thankful for Cafe Con Leche and all this organization does to make Wichita Falls a better place to live!!

This program is incredible in so many ways! It has helped my daughter grow in her aspirations for college and value for a secondary education. She has been getting help and experience from the program since 6th grade and she is now number 9 in her senior class. Gonzalo cares for all of his students equally and is wiling to help out a family in need so that he can see them achieve their goals. thank you Road To College and Cafe Con Leche.

This program is amazing in being communicative and welcoming! Since the first day I volunteered as a mentor, I felt truly inspired to continue my path to success. Once I officially became apart of the program, I truly felt like this has gradually become a second family to me. I recommend this program to anyone who may feel like they are lost or want to better the community together as a family. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity than this.

I have to say it’s a great organization. Mr. Robles and the mentors ensure that the students strive to be the Best that they can be. I will be forever grateful for this program. If you want your child to reach for the stars , Always remember it takes a village and with Cafe con Leche the sky is endless!