The Reach Out Vision

One of the most serious challenges this nation faces is educating its ethnic minority and economically disadvantaged population. As an immigrant, I have learned first hand the critical role that education plays in developing healthy, happy and productive individuals and families, and by extension, stable, safe and productive communities.

Among these groups, migrant families have greatest needs and present the most unique challenges for educators. Their jobs as traveling farm workers prevent them and their children from receiving continuous, uninterrupted education.

Hispanic/Latinos are now the largest ethnic group of color in the United States. By 2025, people of color will be the majority population. If we neglect their education, we place at risk the formation of the future leaders and the workforce this nation will need to survive and prosper.

For a long time, my greatest quest has been to find a way to help the most vulnerable and neglected people in our society. My boss, Tess Arenas, shares this same passion with me. So when she entrusted me with the task to develop educational programs for Migrant families, I jumped at the opportunity. With the visionary support of a U.S. Department of Education FIPSE grant, the Reach Out/Alcanza program for Migrant families was born. Now, migrant families and other groups at risk, can access real educational resources on-line Anytime, Anywhere, and have the chance to Learn and Reach their Dreams regardless of their unique circumstances in life. I am both pleased and honored to serve as the director of this important initiative.