Our Impact

AVANZANDO’S work has always been two-fold: to recognize the educators and school staff that impact Latino students' lives and help support the student’s educational goals. We began our work in 2008 by conducting parent workshops to promote better study habits at home and to support parents and educators in maintaining effective partnerships for the success of our students.

By 2009, AVANZANDO began to focus on supporting students’ success through financial scholarships. At first, the donations came directly from the Board Members and sales at local community fairs. From 2009 through 2017, AVANZANDO scholarships were set at $250 and $500. In 2017, AVANZANDO partnered with Latinos Unidos de Newark Avanzando (L.U.N.A) to join them in the 4th of July fireworks sales sale, with all sales proceeds donated to AVANZANDO for scholarships.

Since 2017, we have systematically increased the number of scholarships awarded to Newark students and increased the award amounts to $1,500 per student.

In 2022, we introduced two special awards, the Vivien Larsen Scholarship, and the Richard Valle Scholarship. These particular scholarships are awarded in the amounts of $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. Special scholarships are awarded to students with excellent academic performance and exemplary commitment to their community.

AVANZANDO Scholarship recipients have pursued their education at institutions such as Ohlone College, San Jose State, Cal -Poly, Cal State East Bay, UC Los Angeles, St. Mary’s College, UC Santa Barbara, San Francisco State University, Berkley, Stanford and Harvard among many others.