APEX: NEW LOCATION IN HARTFORD

ASPIRA of CT has found yet another facility in Hartford in which to operate its APEX program. The newest addition to the organization's parenting program is at Burr School in the city's south end. Running a number of successful programs throughout the city, ASPIRA decided to open up this APEX site for the many elementary school parents that live in this primarily Hispanic/Latino community.

The goal of APEX is to be able to facilitate and assist parental involvement in neighborhood schools. As a result, their children receive the kind of parental support and guidance that enhances their education. By teaching both, the students and their parents or guardians to be leaders and to strive for academic excellence, ASPIRA believes that the Hispanics/Latinos living in these communities can raise themselves above many of the burdening struggles they face day-to-day. By integrating a rigorous curriculum of various training techniques and learning activities ASPIRA has managed to positively affect many Hispanic/Latino parents throughout the state.

“I am very happy to be here. The classes are fascinating and time goes by very quickly because we are all learning so much about how to help our kids with school work. Some days we stay longer than scheduled because we keep asking questions, wanting to learn more and more.”- Rosa Lopez, an APEX parent at Burr School (Hartford).

Having APEX at this new location has already managed to attract 16 new parents and the program Facilitator, Mariel Concepcion, looks forward to celebrating the location’s first graduating class in January 2009.