Stories of Impact: Circle de Luz
By Circle de Luz
Circle de Luz is a Charlotte-based Latina-guided nonprofit organization established in 2008. Latina youth are offered crucial support through programming, mentoring, wraparound services, and scholarship funds to those going on to college or other post-secondary education options. The organization has around 60 alumnae who are now professionals in fields such as health, economics, education, and engineering.
Each year, Circle de Luz chooses a new class of 8 or more girls in seventh grade from Title 1 schools and mentors them and their family members through their graduation from high school. The organization currently serves four simultaneous cohorts of students and over 175 of their family members.
During these six years, the organization provides these girls and their families with over 70 program experiences. These programs incorporate three core themes – Academic Support and College Readiness, Personal Development, and Community Awareness and Engagement.
Their mission is to broaden the girls’ horizons to enable them to develop new goals and skills. This results in increased self-confidence as they tackle new challenges. As their confidence blossoms, it is easier for them to dream of a life filled with opportunities that once felt out of reach.
If you wish to support Circle de Luz, please consider becoming a Mija! The Mija circle of donors collectively empowers and makes post-secondary education dreams a reality for 8 Latina girls in our community through scholarships. Circle de Luz has funded 7 out of the 8 scholarships for their new cohort. Mija pledges can be broken down into recurring donations as low as $10-$15 a month. Mijas can be individuals, families, friend groups, businesses, Employee Resource Groups (ERG), book or academic clubs, or organizations from anywhere in the world. Please consider signing up and helping us share with others! All information about the donor program and its benefits is available here: https://circledeluz.org/become-a-mija
