This morning on KSEE Sunrise we learned about a successfull mentoring program called Encourage Tomorrow. They're holding their 5th Annual Awards Banquet Friday, April 25 at Grand Occasions. Dr. Alfredo Cueller of the CSUF School of Education and Sheriff Margaret Mims will speak.

Encourage Tomorrow is a non-profit organization that provides tutoring and mentoring for at-risk youth, empowering youngsters to become self-sufficient and develop lifelong learning skills. 91% of students in Encourage Tomorrow programs increased their school attendance and 77% improved their grades. All of the seniors in the program graduated from high school and 95% of them went on to college.

Tickets for the banquet are $35 each or $350 for a table of ten. Sponsorships are also available. For information on buying tickets for the banquet, please call Encourage Tomorrow at (559) 233-2880.

Encourage Tomorrow Facts:
Results
•Improvement of School Grades
•Lower Drop Out Rate
•Lower Crime Rate
•Lower Pregnancy Rate
•Improvement of Attendance and School Commitment

Outcomes
•91% increase their school attendance
•77% increase their grades
•100% of Seniors in our program graduated from High School
•95% of Seniors in our program went on to college

Maria Elena Zarco – 12th grade – McLane High School- Mariposa Program
Maria Elena Zarco is involved in many activities – Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bible Studies, Folklorico dance troupe, Celulas (Youth group), community service at Hyland Nursing Home and at Poverello House, leadership in her church, a leader at Wildlife Middle School. She had a language barrier which prevented her from believing in herself in years past, but went from a 1.8 GPA to a 3.6 GPA in 7th grade with the encouragement of her teacher. She started 3rd grade knowing no English and had low self-esteem for years. She was inspired to have goals and work for them. She is the president of the Mariposa Program at her school. She plans to get a summer job to help pay for college and help her parents. She wants to go into the medical field—ultimately to become a doctor or obtain a business degree.

Brooke Woods – 12th grade – Sanger High School – Mariposa program
Brooke Woods is part of the school’s drama club, has a part time job at KFC, is a tutor at a daycare center and part of the peer education program. She has seen discrimination in her neighborhood and decided to prove the biases of others by accomplishing great things in school and in life. She plans to be a good example for others to see their own potential. She wants to major in law and minor in social work. She has changed from a troubled child to a young lady with goals and ambition with the help of the Mariposa Program.

Cynthia Acosta – 12th grade – Sanger High School – Mariposa Program
Cynthia Acosta is involved in the HYPE Club, Youth group at her church, SUMC Polynesian dance group, FHA Hero Club, and mentoring and tutoring in her Youth ministry at her church. She plans to attend college and ultimately become a pediatrician. Her goal is to help others in need. She attends Sanger Methodist Church regularly and focuses on practicing leadership with other children. She tries to help others who are not so fortunate. She is the vice-president of the Mariposa Club in Sanger to help Hispanic young women to reach their goals. She has gained confidence through the Mariposa program and is working to achieving her goals that she has set for her future.

Erica Carrillo—12th grade—Sanger High School – Mariposa Program
Erica plays softball, is in the HYPE club, part of the bible study group, the SUMC Polynesian dance group and helps at the church daycare. She lost her father, her uncle, aunt and grandmother in Fresno’s largest mass murder at the time when she was six years old. Her mother survived, being one of three to survive ten people there, though her mother was sot seven times in her legs. Despite the problems in her family, she has kept faith and has been inspired by the Mariposa Program to pursue her goals of a college education. She wants to make a difference in the world. She has a strong faith and knows she has many things yet to learn in her young life.

Aji Gumbs – 11th Grade – McLane High School – Visions Program
Aji Gumbs is involved in the Tartan Theatre Group at school and has been part of six school plays. He is involved in the Drama Club, the Stomp team and the Internet club, which is helping him prepare for his future in the world. Though he is very busy between his studies and interests, he maintains a good GPA. He is learning how to manage his time and is very dedicated to the Visions Program.

Chelsea Allen—7th Grade—Cooper Middle School—Images Program
Chelsea Allen is involved in the volleyball team and video production in school. She has been very faithful in her participation in the Images program which is helping her get ready to go places with her life. She is there at the meetings even though others may not be as faithful and participates with excitement from the heart. She is truly an inspiration.

Edith Figueroa—11th Grade—McLane High School—Mariposa Program
Edith Figueroa is involved with the Mecha club at school, the Community of Caring, a service-learning club, and Agape choir group. One side of her family is educated and business-minded. The other side of her family is dysfunctional—involved in crime, drugs, etc… She has persevered through all of this putting her educational goals front and center. She has been able to speak highly of the Mariposa program to local community members, though she is shy. She is also working part time to help her family.

Martha Leticia Gabriel,—12th Grade—Sanger High School—Mariposa Program
Martha Leticia Gabriel is part of the art club in school. The Mariposa Program has helped her grow and recognize the importance of education. It as during one of her trips to a health fair that Encourage Tomorrow sponsors what she became inspired to pursue a career in the health field. She is creative and has worked in a flower shop, designing flower arrangements. She has overcome difficulties—losing her sister. She is now pursing her own dreams with the support of her family and the direction and inspiration of the Mariposa Program.

Britney Bernard—12th grade—McLane High School—Mariposa Program
Britney Bernard is involved in the Boys & Girls Club, Girls Scouts, helps give tutoring help to others, has volunteered to help in a shelter and has participated in after school activities at Mark Twain Jr. High School. Her goals are to graduate from college with a degree in business and get involved in the real estate business. She has learned to take the initiative or her life and is learning to follow her heart. She works through her difficulties to become a success.

Elizabeth Farias—8th Grade—Parlier Middle School—Mariposa Program
Elizabeth Farias has volunteered for Red Ribbon community events, Christmas Toys for Tots Community dinner, Mothers Day Dinner and School Board Bond Measure P. She is always ready to help others in need. She enjoys attending conferences where she can get information that can help with her future. The Mariposa Program has helped her to grow into a mature young lady and stand up for what she feels is right.

Sabrina Nunez—Parlier High School—Mariposa Program
Sabrina Nunez gets involved in community events and is a caring person using her vast pool of talents and resources. She has personal goals which she is following and participation in the Mariposa Program has helped her become a mature, self-confident young woman. She has expanded her vision for herself and is making her goals a reality.

Sara Rangel—Sanger High School—Mariposa Program
Sara Rangel volunteers for the Fresno County DCFS-CPS programs. She is one of the few freshmen to participate with Mariposa. She has been very generous with her time to help with the program and meetings. She is a conscientious student who wants to bring up her grades and she is currently a 3.1 GPA.