Latina teens have among the highest dropout rates, the lowest college rates, and the highest suicide rates, MANA statistics show.
“They are very close to falling through the cracks, but we say, you can do this” says Gabriela Hooshmand, the director of MANA de North County.
Gabriela launched this mentoring program for teen Latina girls in 2009. Based on the Mexican American National Association (MANA) National model founded in 1974, today it is known simply as MANA.
Gabriela has been very active in local schools, which she says gave her a good deal of experience working with the students, so she was invited to run the local chapter.
MANA de North County is a nonprofit organization that empowers Latina students in grade 7 through 12 with mentorship and advocacy to help them thrive later in higher education and as business owners.
Signature Program: Hermanitas Mentoring Program, with weekly afterschool seminars in North County schools. Awarded “Hermanitas Program of the Year” at the MANA National Conference in July.
The counterpart program for Latino boys is called Encuentros Leadership.
The Future is Latina Conference
On August 19 at Palomar College, MANA de North County’s annual conference will bring together Latina industry leaders as keynote speakers. Students and professionals interested in supporting the advancement of Latinas are invited to attend.
The keynote speakers will share their personal and professional journeys, providing inspiration and motivation for Latina students and empowering them to go after their goals. Students will also take part in workshops, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.
“I’m originally from Mexico City and I’m a mother. I have two daughters born here. I started really seeing the need for an organization or club or something to help all girls,” Gabriela told North County Informador.
The program was originally an after-school program every other week, but “The girls needed us to be there more often, so I said, we have to do this every week,” says Gabriela.
The Hermanitas Mentoring Program, directed by Corie de Anda, was created in 2010. Corie, who has 47 years of education experience and time as a bilingual coordinator at San Marcos Unified and Carlsbad, says the program is unique and one-on-one.
“We go into the schools to meet with different cohorts of girls,” Corie told us.
Middle and high school Latina girls in participating schools are invited to participate. They are given the tools to strive for a four-year college while in middle school and to continue to set goals throughout their lives.
“We provide the tools for the girls to be independent, to be sufficient,” Gabriela said.
Navigating the System
Having studied in Mexico and now raising daughters here, Gabriela says she know what it is like to have to navigate the school system in San Diego County.
“I feel the need to help the girls and the parents to understand, sí se puede. You can do it. There are ways for you to be able to have a career, be successful…any career field, the possibilities are there,” she said.
Corie told us families see the program as a mentoring system. “Every Latino parent I’ve met, they all want the best for their kids,” Corie said. “They sacrifice so much so that their kids can have a career, and they would love to guide them, but they don’t know how.”
She says MANA and Manitas act as a bridge between the values parents teach their daughters at home and the knowledge of how to get where they want to go.
“Every one of these girls has dreams, and not one of them has any way to know how to realize those dreams. Their parents haven’t been to college. We try to change the perspective that they have of themselves by building their confidence,” Corie explained.
She told us that middle schools girls lack self-confidence and self-esteem. “They’re afraid to step out of their comfort zone. We guide them, step by step.”
Career Mentoring
The Hermanitas Program connects each Latina student with a Latina professional who is successful in the career that student is interested in. They learn about that person, who inspires them to move ahead, said Corie.
Latina girls can join the program in middle or high school. “Almost all this graduating class coming up started with us in seventh grade, Corie said, but they can join in high school, too.
College students can get a scholarship to mentor the girls, giving the high school students a mentor closer to their age.
Girls who go through the program are also encouraged to give back. “We want to keep them involved. They volunteer,” Corie said.
“Some come back as leaders and help with the classes and contacting the girls,” Gabriela added.
The master of ceremonies at the August 19 ‘The Future is Latina’ conference is a former MANA member who just graduated from Whittier.
How to Participate
MANA first negotiates with the school principals and counselors, who then get approval from the district.
In middle school, the counselors choose the girls who will participate. They must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average, not have serious behavioral issues, and promise to remain drug-free. Girls in special education are also accepted. Middle school parents are required to attend a meeting before the girls start so that they can understand the program.
At the high school level, any Latina planning to go to college can join. They can participate in club rush to sign up.
“It does take some pushing to get them out of their comfort zone and into these new experiences,” said Corie. “And they see that, they go, wow! There’s this whole new world out there they didn’t know existed.”
MANA districts and schools for the 2023–24 School Year
Carlsbad Unified (Carlsbad High School, Sage Creek High School, Valley Middle School, Calavera Hills Middle School)
Oceanside Unified (El Camino High School)
Vista Unified (all middle and high schools)
Escondido Union School District (Mission Middle School, Del Dios Middle School)
Escondido High School District (Orange Glen High School)
Topics Covered
Nutrition
Drug, diabetes, & pregnancy Prevention
Guidance to a career path
In-person role models
Culturally appropriate lessons
Mental health awareness and resources
Leadership development via community service
Field trips and professional conferences
Sponsors
Some MANA de North County sponsors include MyPoint Credit Union, Rotary Club 78, North San Diego County Promise, Pacific Western Bank.
If you are a Latina professional, you can volunteer to work with the program.
