AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, Inc.

To empower and prepare youth for college admissions and graduation through a unique approach based upon a greater cultural understanding as a guide to personal, academic and professional excellence as future leaders.

We are living in uncertain times with a Sense of Urgency in how to deal with a global pandemic as we see whose future hangs in the balance, but plan we must. Unfortunately, even before this pandemic, far too many Arizona youth have been losing opportunities with the lack of guidance and resources necessary to place them on a trajectory that will benefit them, their families and our communities. Arizona is ranked Number 1 in the nation for number of students to counselor ratios at 905:1. The national average is 455:1 while the recommendation is 250:1. For many students the only contact with a counselor focused on class schedules while attempting to serve a growing caseload in areas of social services and/or behavioral concerns. (American Counseling Association, American School Counselor Association, National Association for College Admission Counseling).

Far too many of Arizona's youth drop out of high school or fail to obtain the basic education required for more advanced study leading to careers to support families they dream of raising. While we may expect more from these youth, many who have incredible potential do not receive critical information, resources and opportunities to place them on a college track. Instead they grow frustrated with a lack of direction, opting out of college consideration, dropping out of high school or worse, see no future to include high school while in 8th grade. These educational deficits result in a negative impact for our youth, families, communities, state and our country that go well beyond the state of our economy (Morrison Institute for Public Policy).

These statistics spurred many conversations with educators, community leaders, ideas and ultimately the development of AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute in 2004. Spearheaded by our Founder, Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez, whose more than 30 years of experience in youth development and educational background in public and juvenile justice policy led to the creation of a unique, holistic approach to assist students and families realize more than a dream of a college degree. This is accomplished via a curriculum that goes beyond addressing college admissions, financial aid and housing. AGUILA seeks to develop strong, confident, educated, compassionate, ethical and thoughtful leaders with a focus on personal development not limited to service learning, healthy relationships, financial literacy, civic engagement and mental health awareness in addition to specific programs where students are exposed to potential areas of study/careers. AGUILA Partners include various agencies, businesses and organizations to provide students with a "tool kit" filled with information, resources and above all that Sense of Family AGUILA provides beyond high school, college, life and community.

As a result, AGUILA has witnessed a growing number of students who felt helpless, shy and lacked confidence transform into confident, resilient leaders of Fortune 500 companies, school boards, non-profits, government, military, medical and legal organizations who beyond their careers, impact their communities and our world through their service to others. This is "The AGUILA Way" - one that instills a sense of purpose and a desire to Pay it Forward. More than 1600 students have entered over 150 colleges and universities across the nation and the globe recognized with more than $150 million in scholarships above and beyond federal financial aid packages. Certainly, these are what many of us feel is the Worst of Times but we are AGUILA STRONG and STILL WE RISE. "Our future may lie beyond our vision but it is not completely beyond our control…. The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better. (Robert F. Kennedy)". Join AGUILA as we as we continue to be dedicated to our youth and our future. Join AGUILA and let's make the world a better place.

Testimonials

To Whom It May Concern:
I had the fortunate experience of becoming a part of the AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute when I was a sophomore in high school. Fourteen years later, I continue to be highly connected and committed to AGUILA as an organization and to the people who make it what it is - a family committed to the next generation and their families in every way possible. I wholeheartedly believe I would not be where I am today nor would I have as strong of an understanding of my purpose had I not had AGUILA supporting me in my journey.
I went from being a high school student with no idea what path life would lead me down, to a graduate of St...