This organization’s profile page is part of the Arlington Nonprofit Directory. Click here to search the Directory, and use the information on this profile page to connect directly with this nonprofit.
The mission of Edu-Futuro is to empower immigrant and underserved youth and families through education, leadership development, parent engagement, individual case management, and workforce development. Our vision is to realize the potential of immigrant youth and their families.
Program Summary
Edu-Futuro’s work is focused on breaking the cycle of poverty through the power of education. We serve nearly 4,000 students and parents annually through our range of free, bilingual, Two-Generation programs:
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), our flagship program for youth, offers a series of services and training workshops designed to fulfill Edu-Futuro’s vision of a “Classroom-to-Career” continuum of support that helps students to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and achieve professional success. Each year, hundreds of students participate in ELP’s five core initiatives: our afterschool ELP STEM Robotics clubs for youth in grades 6-8; virtual Pre-ELP high school preparation workshops, also for youth in grades 6-8; ELP-I college readiness and leadership workshops for students in grades 9-12; ELP-II year-long college enrollment mentorship and scholarships/financial aid guidance for high school seniors; and ELP-III college life guidance and mentorship for students attending local postsecondary institutions.
Chronic Absenteeism Program (CAP), our newest initiative developed in response to the sharp increase of chronic absenteeism among Economically Disadvantaged, English Learner, Hispanic, and other youth when schools reopened after the COVID crisis in 2021. Originally launched in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools, CAP has been such an outstanding success that Edu-Futuro is now working with both Fairfax and Arlington Public Schools to conduct intensive outreach to hundreds of chronically absent students each year, with the goal of returning youth to the classroom and reducing dropout rates for some of our region’s most vulnerable populations.
Parent Empowerment Services (PES) complement the work of our youth programs through a range of workshops aimed at helping low-income, immigrant, and Latino parents navigate our local school systems, become more involved in their children’s education, and improve family communication. In addition, our Case Management Services (CMS) provide emergency assistance to any family in need, connecting beneficiaries to such services as rental support, food distribution, health services, and other aid programs offered by government agencies or local nonprofit organizations.
Workforce Development Services (WDS) build on the supports offered through PES to equip hard-working parents with the essential skills needed to leave low-wage service jobs and improve the economic well-being of their families. Core services include: our popular computer and smartphone literacy course, Tech for Parents, and supplementary Resume & Cover Letter Workshops; our comprehensive, year-long GED Certification Program; financial literacy workshops and coaching through the Financial Empowerment Network; and one-on-one employment counseling for beneficiaries requiring individualized support.
In addition to these program pillars, since 2019 Edu-Futuro has been the proud home of Línea Directa, one of the nation’s longest-running weekly Spanish-language television programs dedicated to public service. For over 35 years, Línea Directa has operated as a crucial link between Latino families and trusted information on public health, education, and a multitude of social service issues. A unique media partnership with NBC4-Washington allows Edu-Futuro to air Línea Directa on Saturday mornings, at 11:00 a.m., on the region’s leading Spanish-language station, Telemundo 44.
Impact Summary
Each year, Edu-Futuro changes the lives of thousands of low-income, immigrant, and Latino families across Northern Virginia: In the most recently completed Fiscal Year 2023-2024, we provided a record-breaking 5,353 services to 3,937 unduplicated children, youth, and adults. Some of our most significant recent accomplishments include:
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Edu-Futuro mobilized to become one of the largest providers of direct financial aid to Latino and immigrant families in the region: stabilizing over 1,800 households and distributing more than $2.6 million to date for rent, food, medicine, and other basic necessities.
Since 2021, the 219 outstanding high school seniors who graduated from our Emerging Leaders Program have been collectively awarded more than $29 million in life-changing scholarships and financial aid.
Last year, our public service television program Línea Directa won an Emmy Award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in the category of Societal Concerns (Long Form), for the production of a half-hour program focusing on the fentanyl crisis that has led to the death of many adolescents across the Washington region during the past three years.
What ways can the public get involved?
Led by our full-time Volunteer Coordinator, each year Edu-Futuro engages approximately 350 volunteers who provide invaluable support for our programs as workshop co-facilitators, career panelists, and mentors. Volunteers play a central role in guiding program beneficiaries along their professional journeys, particularly as mentors for the Emerging Leaders Program. We also use volunteers for one-time opportunities to serve as panelists for career exploration workshops, committee members to review applications and select recipients for college scholarships, and judges for our annual speech and essay competitions. For more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Mariana Balgurevich, at volunteer@edu-futuro.org, or consult our volunteer registration form.
How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?
Generous donations made to Edu-Futuro are what allow us to provide our services to nearly 4,000 students and parents each year. It is important to note that about 75% of the funds we receive through grants and contracts each year are earmarked for specific programs, and do not cover critical operating and administrative expenses. Unrestricted funds like those we raise from individual donors help give us the capacity and flexibility we will need to meet our ambitious goal of serving more than 5,000 unduplicated individuals in Fiscal Year 2024-2025–and to strengthen our organization to face new challenges in the years to come.
More than anything, though, your support can help change the lives of young people like Eric Pleitez, an Emerging Leaders Program graduate who went on to earn his both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Finance from the George Washington University. Eric recently shared a testimonial with us that can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/MvGkh4PLCMY
