Release Date: May 27, 2010
Office of District 1 Councilwoman Mary Alice P. Cisneros: 207-7279
Councilwoman Mary Alice P. Cisneros Applauds Escuelitas Program
In 1983, former District 1 Councilwoman Maria Antonietta Berriozabal had a vision to provide education and direction to young women that were experiencing teen pregnancy and teenage delinquency problems. Ms. Berriozabal was instrumental in founding the all-volunteer Hispanas Unidas, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is dedicated to the education, empowerment, and advancement of minority women.
On Friday, May 28, the Hispanas Unidas will present three graduates of the Escuelitas Program with certificates worth up to $20,000 in scholarship monies from Our Lady of the Lake University. The graduates are eighth grade girls who successfully completed the Escuelitas Program.
In 2000, Hispanas Unidas established the Escuelitas Program where a staff of trained Program Specialists implements serious and viable teen pregnancy and teenage delinquency prevention programs by utilizing a culturally sensitive curriculum, a mentoring program with college students from various local colleges and universities, a prestigious array of guest speakers for the leadership series and education field trips. The program focuses on young girls at very early impressionable ages (8 to 14) years in some of San Antonio's most impoverished neighborhoods where teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and truancy is prevalent.
"The work that Hispanas Unidas does for the inner-city is invaluable," stated Councilwoman Mary Alice P. Cisneros. "For over 20 years, this organization has helped to mentor and cultivate young women overcome challenging circumstances to become successful leaders in our community."
At Friday's 2010 graduation ceremony, Former Councilwoman Maria Antonietta Berriozabal will speak and participate with Our Lady of the Lake University in presenting the scholarship certificates. The ceremony will take place at El Progresso Hall, 1313 Guadalupe Street from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.