UNIDOSNOW INC

THE FUTURE LEADERS ACADEMY (FLA) IS A RIGOROUS, TWO-YEAR PROGRAM FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE DISPARITY IN COLLEGE ENROLLMENT FOR LOW-INCOME, FIRST-GENERATION HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES. LAUNCHED IN 2013, FLA PROVIDES STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL POST-SECONDARY PATH. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COLLEGE PREPARATION FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN EARNING A COLLEGE DEGREE, OR A HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL CERTIFICATION. STUDENTS RECEIVE MONTHLY INDIVIDUALIZED 'NEAR PEER' COACHING FROM CURRENT OR RECENTLY GRADUATED COLLEGE STUDENTS, WITH ASSISTANCE IN AREAS SUCH AS ACT/SAT PREPARATION, ESSAY WRITING, RESUME BUILDING, SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS, AND FAFSA COMPLETION. STUDENTS ALSO ATTEND COLLEGE TOURS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. MANY ALSO SERVE AS LEADERS OF THE UNIDOS LEADNOW HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS, PROVIDING PEER SUPPORT AND PROMOTING A CULTURE OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS.

FUTURE LEADERS ACADEMY FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL (FLAM) EMPOWERS STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS WITH THE TOOLS, RESOURCES, AND SKILLS TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH A LONG-TERM POSTSECONDARY MINDSET. THROUGH INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS LEARN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING RIGOROUS CLASSES IN HIGH SCHOOL, BEING INVOLVED IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, TAKING ON LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, AND VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY. STUDENTS ATTEND COLLEGE TOURS AND GAIN IMPORTANT SKILLS THROUGH HANDS-ON STEAM CAREER EXPLORATION WITH A FOCUS ON EMERGING CAREER PATHS, SUCH AS THOSE IN AI AND DIGITAL ARTS. THEY LEARN ABOUT VARIOUS POST-SECONDARY PATHS, INCLUDING TECHNICAL COLLEGES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND 4+ YEAR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES. IN ADDITION TO COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, THE FLAM PROGRAM ALSO EMPHASIZES LIFE SKILLS, GOAL SETTING, PUBLIC SPEAKING, GOOD STUDY HABITS, AND TRANSITIONAL SKILLS.