As a first generation Latinx and Asian college graduate and San José native, I am excited to support the great work the San José Public Library Foundation (SJPLF) does and to proudly serve as a board member. There are so many programs that serve our community. I'd like to highlight that San José (SJ) Aspires is having a tremendous impact on our students and I look forward to the program’s expansion and influence throughout our community.

SJPLF strives to provide advocacy, financial support, and leadership to our public libraries and educational programs throughout San José to create an educated, equitable, and engaged community. 

One of the amazing programs that the foundation supports is SJ Aspires. SJ Aspires empowers students in underserved neighborhoods to set goals that chart a path to academic success from 9th grade to graduation by providing a performance-based scholarship program that educates them about college and career choices, as well as individual mentorship and counseling. Only 30% complete any post-secondary program within six years of their high school graduation. On average, these students receive 12 minutes of college counseling over their four-year tenure. Most lack college-educated parents or family members who can offer guidance. Low-income students are two times less likely–and Latinx and African American students three times less likely–than their peers to earn a bachelor’s degree.