La Paloma College Prep Program

In early 2009, the La Paloma College Prep Program received the College Access Challenge Grant through the Arizona Department of Commerce. With new grant funds, the La Paloma College Prep Program has been given the opportunity to expand and enhance services to neighborhood families not previously served through the program.

Through collaboration with Flowing Wells and Amphitheater Unified School Districts and supporting each school district’s current connection with University of Arizona and Arizona State University, La Paloma College Prep aims to connect students and their families with the potential and path to college.

La Paloma College Prep provides this connection through college access informational presentations. These presentations consist of workshops tailored to students in After School Programs and Family College Information Night workshops that take place at La Paloma Family Services Administrative Office conveniently located near both school districts.

Information provided in these presentations include: the benefits of post secondary education, steps toward post secondary education, available financial aid (including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and researching scholarships), completing college applications, and etc.

Both Flowing Wells and Amphitheater Unified School Districts are located in the 85705 zip code, an area that is characterized by significantly low-income neighborhoods. Although this is the primary area of focus, post-secondary informational packets will be made available to any qualifying family requesting assistance to gain an understanding of higher educational options.

In addition, La Paloma College Prep offers professional development seminars for school guidance counselors covering the specific needs of the typical foster youth. These presentations highlight the challenges faced by foster youth such as difficulty maintaining school records for this highly mobile population and lower standardized achievement scores.

For more information, please contact Jacque Green or Irene Timms at (520)398-5480 or via email: Jacque@lapalomakids.org or Irene@lapalomakids.org