I learned about the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-Fort Worth chapter (HWNT-FW) shortly after moving to Fort Worth last year. Since it was during the pandemic, all their meetings were being done virtually. When I attended the first meeting, I was impressed with the amazing Latinas who were part of the HWNT-FW. I immediately volunteered on their Education Committee, since I am passionate about education. Being part of the Education Committee and volunteering for their Latinas In Progress program, I learned more about the amazing work that Latinas are doing here in Fort Worth.
The Latinas In Progress (LIP) program is a program for Latina high school seniors. HWNT-FW members mentor Latina high school seniors throughout their senior year and provide a series of workshops to help them succeed in their personal and professional lives.
The workshops consist of learning sessions, volunteer opportunities, and mentorship. The workshops are usually hosted at local colleges and universities, once a month (between September and March), but this past year, the workshops were held virtually due to the pandemic. Each workshop has a different topic and is hosted by different colleges. They provide learning experiences to LIP participants, and also provide access to opportunities, information, financial resources, and exposure to the local colleges and universities.
The program usually ends with a Latinas in Progress Graduation & Scholarship Brunch, but this year the ceremony was held virtually. Students were recognized for completing the LIP program and scholarships were presented from charitable members, donors, and universities. We also held a drive-thru graduation ceremony for the high school seniors to drive by and receive goodie bags from HWNT. My daughter and I volunteered to help put the bags together, and it was amazing to see the young Latinas and their families. The LIP participants were grateful for the opportunity to learn so much. For me, it was exciting to see so many young Latinas heading to college! My daughter was also excited to hand out the bags, I hope she gets inspired to continue to help others in whatever way she can.
The Latinas in Progress program is now accepting applications for next year’s cohort, through June 26, 2021. If you have or know a Latina who will be a high school senior next school year, have them apply to this amazing program at http://www.lipfw.org/lip-application—class-of-2022.html
Go to this website for the Class of 2022 schedule: http://www.lipfw.org/class-of-2022.html
HWNT-FW chapter is truly living up to their beliefs: “We have a responsibility to empower and inspire our community.”
If you would like to join the HWNT-FW chapter, please go to their website: http://www.hwntfw.org/join-us.html
Photo Credit: RG Productions