LAWA - Latin Americans Working for Achievement

Since 1992, Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA) has been a pioneer in addressing education disparities by supporting career and college readiness of young Latinos in the Charlotte region. LAWA’s goals are to close academic achievement gaps, increase the number of students who pursue and complete post-secondary education, and prepare a self-sufficient and bilingual workforce.

Each year, we help 500 Latino students and families prepare, plan, and pay for college.

Our High School Series is a group of college-and-career-readiness workshops that are held at college campuses. These free, bilingual information sessions guide Latino students and families through the complex world of higher education. The program is held in partnership with two public school districts, eight colleges, key industry leaders, and dozens of other nonprofits.

Our Scholarship Program is a competitive financial aid program that funds new and renewable scholarships for promising Latino students who wish to pursue trade and professional careers. While enrolled, students also receive mentoring and internship support.

LAWA convenes Latino families, high school administrators, and college representatives to provide Latino youth with the tools and resources they need to become self-sufficient, integrated, and contributing members of the community.

Our goals are to: 

1. Improve Latino high school completion and college readiness rates
2. Promote Latino postsecondary enrollment and college completion rates
3. Minimize the Burden of Latino Student Debt

By increasing the number of Latino students who pursue postsecondary education and graduate ready to enter the competitive labor market, LAWA is helping to close a Latino educational achievement gap in the Charlotte region.

Demand for our services has skyrocketed during the past five years. HSS participation rose by 73% and we awarded scholarships to 179% more students.

With your support, we will continue to close the Latino educational achievement gap by increasing the number of Latino students who pursue and complete postsecondary study and emerge ready to enter the competitive labor market.