Nonprofit Launches AVID Initiative To Empower South Orange County High School Students

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A South Orange County-area nonprofit just launched an initiative aimed at helping AVID students reach their full potential.

The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley announced the new philanthropic program, Igniting Potential, as a part of an effort to ensure that South County students have the resources and help they need to reach their full potential.

San Clemente High School AVID Program Director Erin Dollar told Patch that since the start of the Igniting Potential, three college field trips were scheduled as well as a community building trip and funding for two staff members to attend AVID summer training.

"The program also paid for each of our AVID juniors to take the SAT on campus," Dollar said. "This is what 'closing the opportunity gap' looks like, and [the program] will be instrumental in bridging the gap for these students to see that college and career opportunities are in fact attainable."

Key components of the program include the following:

• Mentorship and Guidance.
  • Several industry professionals were enlisted by the ALCV to speak to AVID sophomores about their professions.
• College Readiness Interviews.
  • ALCV members served on several mock interview panels, preparing seniors for college and job interviews. Feedback was also provided to the students to help them improve their interviewing skills.
• Financial Aid Assistance.
  • ALCV's Igniting Potential program is providing financial assistance by funding buses for senior college visits, as well as for AVID educator resources and learning.

To learn more about Igniting Potential and Assistance League of Capistrano Valley, visit the nonprofit's website.