Nonprofit Leadership Podcast How one nonprofit is changing the future of underserved students
How can nonprofits effectively support underserved students in achieving higher education? How do you encourage both the student and their family members to believe in their potential to achieve more? Today’s guest, Dr. Johanna Moya Fabregas, explains how her nonprofit is empowering the next generation through education and emotional support.
Rob’s guest, Dr. Johanna Moya Fabregas, is the Executive Director of Con Mi MADRE, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latina girls and their loved ones through education and emotional support. The organization’s mission is to ensure these young women achieve higher education and are well-prepared for the workforce, supported by their families throughout the process.
Johanna explains how her background in higher education and her passion for impacting youth, led her to transition into nonprofit leadership. She shares how Con Mi MADRE’s dual-generation approach supports both the students and their loved ones, fostering a deep connection that drives academic and personal success. Johanna believes in the importance of addressing both the social-emotional and academic needs of students, starting from middle school through college. She also describes how the program includes workshops, college visits, and a leadership series that helps students and parents alike. Johanna emphasizes the significance of building long-term relationships with the families they serve, which is key to achieving an impressive college persistence rate. She also highlights the organization’s commitment to cultural affirmation, ensuring that students can embrace their full identity as they pursue their professional goals. Finally, Johanna discusses the impact of Con Mi MADRE’s annual gala awards event, which celebrates community leaders and raises funds for the organization.
Mentioned:
Connect with Johanna on LinkedIn
This Episode is sponsored by:
Links to Resources:
Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/
If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com
For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/
Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page
Summary:
Dr. Johanna Moya Fábregas, the executive director of Con Mi Madre, shares her journey from a career in education to leading a nonprofit organization. Con Mi Madre is a dual-generation program that supports girls in sixth through twelfth grade and their mothers or a loving adult in their family. The program focuses on social-emotional support and academic preparation to help students achieve a post-secondary degree and be prepared for the workforce. They provide a comprehensive curriculum, parent workshops, a networking group, and a leadership series. Con Mi Madre also collaborates with local school districts to bridge the gap between students and their families, providing ongoing support and resources. The organization has achieved a 72% college persistence rate among its high school graduates, thanks to their long-term relationship building and comprehensive support. Con Mi Madre’s approach to multicultural education and empowerment impacts the community they serve by affirming students’ cultural identities and celebrating their achievements. They also host an annual event, the Corazon Awards, to honor community members and raise funds for scholarships. To learn more about Con Mi Madre, visit their website or follow them on social media.
Takeaways
Con Mi Madre is a dual-generation program that supports girls in sixth through twelfth grade and their mothers or a loving adult in their family.
The program focuses on social-emotional support and academic preparation to help students achieve a post-secondary degree and be prepared for the workforce.
Con Mi Madre collaborates with local school districts to bridge the gap between students and their families, providing ongoing support and resources.
The organization has achieved a 72% college persistence rate among its high school graduates, thanks to their long-term relationship building and comprehensive support.
Con Mi Madre’s approach to multicultural education and empowerment impacts the community by affirming students’ cultural identities and celebrating their achievements.
The annual Corazon Awards event honors community members and raises funds for scholarships.
The program focuses on social-emotional support and academic preparation to help students achieve a post-secondary degree and be prepared for the workforce.
Con Mi Madre collaborates with local school districts to bridge the gap between students and their families, providing ongoing support and resources.
The organization has achieved a 72% college persistence rate among its high school graduates, thanks to their long-term relationship building and comprehensive support.
Con Mi Madre’s approach to multicultural education and empowerment impacts the community by affirming students’ cultural identities and celebrating their achievements.
Sound Bites
“I wish I had an organization like the one we have when I was a first-gen college student, as an immigrant, as someone who moved to this country and had to learn the language and navigate all of that.”
“We support supporting the parents, for instance, through there is an organization called EGBI. It’s like a small business incubator. So you’re supporting the parents and that communicates to the student from an early age that you care not just about a number or an achievement on paper, you care about the well-being of their whole family.”
“It’s building a long-term relationship and that is not just between the student and us, but they’re part of a larger community, and that organization is like a big family.”
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Transition to Nonprofit Leadership
02:08 Overview of Con Mi Madre’s Program and Approach
06:57 Collaboration with School Districts
09:47 Achieving a 72% College Persistence Rate
14:37 Influence of Public Education Background on Nonprofit Leadership
17:21 Multicultural Education and Empowerment
20:47 The Corazon Awards and Community Impact
23:27 How to Learn More About Con Mi Madre