Joya Scholars is a program that inspires and prepares students from families of low-income communities in Fullerton to succeed through higher education.

We define “Student” as:

• Primary Goal: 6th-12th grade students with potential to go to college; program awareness begins earlier
• Secondary Goal: Serve the broader population of students with general college-related services
• A commitment to work with students and their families

We define "Higher Education" as:

•Primary Goal: 4-Year College or University
•Secondary Goal: Vocational training

We define "Success" as:

•Primary Goal: Graduation from a 4-Year College or University
•Secondary Goal: Returning, giving back to the program with time, money, and relationship

OUR SEVEN PROGRAM AREAS:

1. Expanding student awareness of college and career opportunities

2. Promoting family involvement and support for student success

3. Providing individual educational plans through long-term mentoring

4. Equipping students for life-long success

5. Celebrating student empowerment and achievement

6. Building community partnership to promote student success

7. Securing financial resources for students and family

CONTEXT:

Our primary focus is the Garnet neighborhood of Fullerton’s “gem district,” a five-block area consisting of mostly low-income, Latino families.  We work in collaboration with Solidarity, a community development organization that has served this community since 2002 through after-school programs, tutoring, teen centers, teen mother's support, gang prevention, family assistance, and community empowerment.