picture by Gonzalo Guerrero
Girasoles en Marcha is a FREE community outreach grassroots program that was founded in 2015 by Celeste A. Rojas. Who better to understand the social, emotional needs as well as political issues that hinder our advancement than a Latina teenager herself. With the help of her mother, caring and professional adults, she was able able to launch a program that would empower young Latinas.
In 2016, Citlali Reyes, Yesenia Gomez, Alejandra Barranco, Briza M. Ramirez, Nesly Ildefonso, and Crystal Ramirez joined Celeste as volunteer team leaders.
In 2017, passion towards fostering new beggings began to grow stronger in some of the volunteer team leaders. Yesenia Gomez, Alejandra Barranco, Briza M. Ramirez and Crystal Ramirez decided to solidify their position and involvement and commit to G.E.M fully.
The newly formed team, inexperienced but with an enthusiasm to empower the young and be a "learn it all" got together to explore their strengths and passions. Each one took on a role that would benefit the day-to-day operations of G.E.M. With a young spirit and a blend of dynamic personalities, each of them volunteers their time and talents to empower, serve, mentor and have fun with the children in the Los Angeles Community! All it takes is a willing heart and showing up ♥︎.
It is important for young Latinas to be actively engaged in youth-friendly spaces, that encourages a positive identity, brings consciousness towards their future, and the ability to gain true sustainability in order to pave the way for the generations of girls behind them.
"It facinates me how my grandmother still manages to preserve her native language Zapotec, with my aunts and uncles in the melting pot of Los Angeles. My indigenous roots have inevitably fed my drive for a broader knowledge in other cultures and to analyze how their timeline of evolution has contributed to the dynamics of the 21st century."
- Celeste Rojas x Founder
VISION.
To build and pursue a future where our cultural heritage is preserved, diversity is valued, and Latina leaders soar.
AIM.
To create a safe and postive space in which they can blossom.
To introduce an understanding of our cultural heritage.
To teach Latin American History, which is scarcely taught in public schools.
To encourage girls to embrace and celebrate their cultural heritage in their own individual way.
To help young Latinas celebrate their differences and individuality.
To foster self-esteem and comradeship with their peers.
To promote confidence and a strong sense of self-worth.
To expose them to political issues that affect the Latino community as a whole. (for teens only)
To create a forum where they can have a voice.
To stimulate mindfulness regarding their future through leadership skills.
To encourage them to set goals for themselves.
To instill in them the possibility of a college attainment at an early age.
To guide them in the exploration of the world around them through early science experiences. (for ages 5-10 only)
To provide FREE tutoring in all subjects (elementary grades only)
To introduce an understanding of our cultural heritage.
To teach Latin American History, which is scarcely taught in public schools.
To encourage girls to embrace and celebrate their cultural heritage in their own individual way.
To help young Latinas celebrate their differences and individuality.
To foster self-esteem and comradeship with their peers.
To promote confidence and a strong sense of self-worth.
To expose them to political issues that affect the Latino community as a whole. (for teens only)
To create a forum where they can have a voice.
To stimulate mindfulness regarding their future through leadership skills.
To encourage them to set goals for themselves.
To instill in them the possibility of a college attainment at an early age.
To guide them in the exploration of the world around them through early science experiences. (for ages 5-10 only)
To provide FREE tutoring in all subjects (elementary grades only)
