About First Gen Empower
The problems
#1: First-generation and undocumented students are not set up for success in succeeding in college and the workforce.
First-generation students attend and graduate from universities at a much lower rate than their continuing generation peers.
Only 26% of first-generation population aged 22-57 have bachelor’s degrees, compared to 70% of continuing generation.
Only 20% of first-generation students complete their degrees, compared to 60% of those who have at least one parent with a bachelor's degree.
Only 10% of undocumented students pursue higher education, compared to 38% of the general U.S. population.
First-generation students also have more trouble getting jobs and earn less when they do.
The median household income for households headed by a first-generation college graduate ($99,600) is substantially lower than the income for households headed by a second-generation graduate ($135,800).
There is a significant college counselor capacity issue throughout California high schools, with an average of 622 students for every 1 college counselor.
In schools with a predominantly first-generation and low-income population, this ratio can be as high as 2000+ students to 1 counselor.
#2: High schools and colleges are not set up to effectively support first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students.
In colleges, Career Centers do not have adequate resources and training to support the unique needs of undocumented students. The rapidly changing and complex immigration policy landscape makes it difficult to provide the right advice to undocumented students.
There are a growing number of undocumented students graduating from college without access to work authorization and without knowledge of income-generating opportunities that are legally available to them.
This is where we step in.
First Gen Empower deploys a two-pronged approach to ensure college and career success for first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students
Institution facing solutions
We strengthen the institutional capacity of high schools and colleges in supporting first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students.
Undocu-Ally Trainings: We partner with high schools and colleges to deliver trainings so they can effectively support undocumented students in succeeding in college and pursuing professional careers.
Launching soon: A platform for educators to access up-to-date content focused on career and income-generating opportunities for undocumented students to ensure knowledge is readily accessible and not lost to staff turnover
Student facing solutions
We work directly with first-generation, low-income, and undocumented high school and college students to increase their college and career attainment.
Empowered Scholars Program: To address the issue of counselor capacity in under-resourced high schools, we train high school students to become peer counselors for fellow first-generation, low-income, and undocumented students in their communities. Students play an instrumental role in increasing college-going rates at their school sites.
Workshops: We host workshops for students to prepare them for college and to succeed in the workforce. Topics include:
Completing college applications
Networking and professional development
Exploring careers and majors
Navigating life after college