A quality education gives graduates a significant leg up in all facets of life, from social confidence to job opportunities. Many additional benefits can be found outside the classroom, such as a window into personal time management, finance skills, and networking access. For years, these privileges were often limited to those who could afford access and “looked the part.” Unwritten bias sometimes meant Latino individuals were either excluded or faced choosing to sacrifice their own culture as a prerequisite for excelling.
A 2021 U.S. Department of Education blog notes, “Undoubtedly, many Latino students and their families experience challenges as they navigate the education system. However, many of these challenges are not of their making … The true causes stem from deeply rooted inequities embedded in the education system.”
Fortunately, education practices are evolving to benefit those who wish to learn more, not less, about their culture. The benefits of integrated bicultural education are apparent. According to a 2022 study at California State University, Monterey Bay, “The benefits of implementing culturally responsive teaching strategies into the elementary classroom empowers Latino students intellectually, socially, emotionally and politically by using cultural references to impart knowledge and skills.”
The same applies to young adults and adults who learn in a culturally empowered environment. In Snohomish County, the Latino Educational Training Institute is one such institution. Founder and CEO Rosario Reyes identifies a clear set of principles.
“LETI strives to support family success and well-being through education, cultural awareness, and social responsibility,” she says. LETI is one of the few institutions and organizations established to further the success of Latinos in Snohomish County.
According to Excelencia, a Washington, D.C. based organization dedicated to increasing Latino student achievement in higher education, there is an eight-part agenda for achieving Latino success. These pillars include a commitment to design a national acceleration program in higher education, advocacy for Latinos’ degree completion, and an expansion of institutional practices that work for Latino students, among others.
An example of this is the Latino Leadership Initiative, a yearly program that LETI conducts that brings together young Latinos from Edmonds College, Skagit Valley College and UW Bothell and has them embark on leadership journeys where they work in service projects within their communities and network with local leaders. LLI empowers Latino/a college students to be civically engaged and participate in community service-learning projects in their respective Counties. Students from the three colleges receive 60+ hours of leadership training and work on their community projects. This program aims to expose LLI participants to educational and career options, multicultural leadership skills and increase Latino/a identity consciousness and cultural competencies.
The LETI platform goes beyond education to ensure the overall health of its students and clients. In addition to tools and tech skills for the workplace and financial training, LETI offers 12 programs focusing on health and wellness and basic needs. All classes are presented by bilingual and bicultural educators who teach a range of courses, including computer classes, financial literacy, and office assistant and bookkeeping assistant certificates.
These programs continue to evolve and include evidence-based strategies that provide significant opportunities for students and their families. This holistic approach can be seen in many of the programs LETI offers. As an example, the Total Wellness of the Latino Woman, a 16-week series of workshops, focuses on the empowerment and development of the participants by bringing in specialists to speak on topics that address mental and physical health as well as educational resource access.
Jazmin Herrera, a Latino Family Resource navigator, runs the Total Wellness program. She works directly with many clients and students to ensure they experience success. One student, Maria J., credits the program with helping her out of her depression and ultimately saving her life. Today, Maria, who suffers from a degenerative illness, is an active member of the Mental Health Matters program with Verdant Health Commission and is also training to become a climate change ambassador.
Education comes in many forms, whether we are managing our finances or seeking leadership positions on a college campus. LETI is one of the few agencies in Snohomish County committed to giving Latino students and immigrants a vital leg up in American education and culture.
LETI is a nonprofit based in Lynnwood that has been serving the Latino community in Snohomish County since 1998. Our services focus on education, retraining and job development, as well as health and wellness.