A summer camp in Idyllwild has helped high school students pursue college degrees and become community leaders, organizers say.
The Inland Empire Future Leaders Program – which aims to lower the high school dropout rate of Hispanic students in the Inland Empire — on June 18 invited 142 Hispanic high school students for a weeklong camp in which the students were put into “familias” — groups of about 12 peers and three staff members. Included in each familia was a business professional from the community.
The “familias” roomed together, ate together and shared late-night discussions. During the day, there was team-building, leadership training, cultural activities, and guidance from role models who could guide them on their future career paths.
Ronald C. Heredia, chairman of the Inland Empire Future Leaders board and a program alumnus from 1992, attested to the value of the program and in connecting with mentors.
In high school, Heredia said he was introduced to one of the founders of the program, and it set him on the path to his future.
“As a 14-year-old high school kid, the fact that he looked like me, lived where I lived, went to same high school in Colton, and had a doctorate in education was inspiring to me,” said Heredia.
Heredia went on to also go to the same college as his mentor, UCLA, receiving a doctorate of education.
The summer camp also places emphasis on public speaking and learning the skills to campaign for causes and candidacy. Heredia stated that these skills teach students to advocate for themselves and their community.
“We emphasize the importance of seeing and understanding the world around them,” said Heredia. “We want them to recognize change and be a change maker. A lot of that is having your voice heard. Being a part of a campaign process makes a difference.”
These skills may also lead to a career. Rep. Raul Ruiz, D–Palm Desert, and Rep. Pete Aguilar, D–Redlands, both graduated from the program.
According to Heredia, nearly 50 percent of Hispanic students in the Inland Empire drop out before graduating high school. These students, he said, need more opportunities to learn leadership skills, meet mentors and greater parent participation.
“We are constantly trying to make the community aware of the importance of parent involvement,” said Heredia. “The more parents stay connected, the more students will stay connected and find and become role models.
The program has come across funding issues.
Though the program recently received support from the Youth Grantmakers program through The Community Foundation, the $40 fee does not cover the costs of running the program.
“It’s struggle every year, but we run the program on grants and sponsorships,” said Heredia. “We know the importance of keeping the program alive.”
Heredia stated that the program has a long-term impact for the participants, many of whom remain lifelong friends with the mentors and peers that they meet while participating.
“I believe the program achieves connections with role models in the community and a vast network that remains close and consistent,” said Heredia. “In fact, the best man at my wedding was a friend I met the year I attended the program.”
This year’s leadership conference was the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program’s 33rd since 1984. More than 4,100 students have attended the leadership conference.
For information: iefl.org or 909-825-3894.
The Community Foundation’s mission is to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy.