About Us

Founded in 1989, ASPIRA of Connecticut is dedicated to the education, empowerment, and leadership development of Latino students. ASPIRA of Connecticut is a statewide agency headquartered in Hartford with programs and services in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, and Waterbury. It currently has a staff of 5 full-time administrative personnel, 18 part-time service delivery staff (most of whom are state certified teachers), 4 consultants and 50 volunteers.

As an independently funded member of the ASPIRA Association, a national nonprofit started in 1961, ASPIRA of Connecticut utilizes nationally tested models and creates variations tailored to specific Connecticut conditions. We offer programs including Youth Leadership Development, Math & Science Academies, and the APEX Program for Parents. ASPIRA of Connecticut serves more then 225 youth and their families per year. While assisting mainly Latinos, it now serves a significant number of non-Latinos such as African-Americans, Vietnamese and Eastern Europeans because of its program locations in major urban centers.

ASPIRA’s vision for youth is of well-rounded student graduating high school, completing college or vocational training, and securing a well-paying, meaningful job that allows him/her to lead a quality life. Our strategy is to create a culture of achievement in which students are motivated to better themselves, their surroundings and their community.

ASPIRA’s success can be attributed to the ASPIRA Process that challenges program participants to become agents for change. The model is validated by current research that suggests positive youth development is best achieved by focusing on increasing protective factors rather than on decreasing risk factors. The ASPIRA Process teaches youth to become aware of their current situation; analyze its consequences; and take action for change in their personal lives and the life of their community. In 1998, James Connelly, then Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools, credited ASPIRA for helping reduce the dropout rate of Latino students in Bridgeport by 50%.

The recent relocation of our headquarters to Hartford reflects our commitment to Hartford students and parents: 30% of our participants are in Hartford. With headquarters in Hartford we can better interact with the State Legislature and with state agencies.