Overview

Together with the PepsiCo Foundation, NCLR has created and expanded the NCLR Escalera Program: Taking Steps to Success program which promotes economic mobility for Latino youth by increasing educational attainment, career planning, and access to well-paying careers. The program aligns with NCLR’s goals to eliminate barriers to employment and economic mobility for Hispanic youth and to increase the capacity of NCLR Affiliates to provide effective workforce development, education, and leadership services for youth. The intent of the NCLR Escalera Project is to design a program model and curriculum that can be replicated by NCLR Affiliates around the country.

Phase I of the Escalera Program focused on the design, creation of curriculum and framework, and testing of the program model at two pilot sites. The first demonstration site of the NCLR Escalera Program was implemented in February 2002 by an NCLR Affiliate in East Los Angeles, AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Inc. The second site to test and implement the Escalera Program in March 2003 was Instituto del Progreso Latino (IDPL) in Chicago, Illinois.

NCLR and the PepsiCo Foundation are currently in Phase II of the Escalera Program which focuses on strengthening, expanding, and replicating the Escalera Program. This partnership represents an ongoing effort by NCLR and the PepsiCo Foundation to create a sustainable, community-based model that will have measurable impact for Latino youth and communities nationwide. The program will incorporate online communication tools, a customized client tracking tool, and program alumni engagement and tracking.

In addition to continuing work with the first two demonstration sites, the third and new Escalera site will be PROMESA: East Harlem Council for Community Improvement, Inc. (EHCCI) located in New York, New York. PROMESA: EHCCI has begun implementing the Escalera Program and will initiate its first cohort if students in March 2007. The Program will expand into two more sites by the fall of 2007.

IMPACT:

To date, the NCLR Escalera Program has served 127 Latino youth with 98% graduating from high school and 96% enrolling in college.

There are 73 students currently enrolled in the Escalera Program, with an estimated 150 new students to be enrolled in 2008.

Affiliate Partners:

AltaMed Health Services Corporation – Los Angeles
Instituto del Progreso Latino – Chicago
PROMESA: East Harlem Council for Community Improvement – New York

NCLR KEY CONTACTS:

Daniel Silva
Escalera Program Coordinator
National Council of La Raza
161 N. Clark Street, Suite 4700
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 269-9250
dsilva@nclr.org

NCLR Escalera Program: Taking Steps to Success Request for Proposals May 2007

Stories from the program

Escalera Spotlight-- Renee Casarin

Escalera Spotlight --Valentin Jimenez