Aliento Education Fund

Our work is divided into a four-prong approach: 1 Cultiva is the name of our arts & healing programming where we provide arts & healing workshops and mental health support through group therapy, open mics, and events at schools and in the community. In the community, Aliento offers arts & healing workshops and open mics open to anyone in the community ages 7 and up. At schools, Aliento partners with K-20 education institutions to do the programming at school sites. 2 Nurture is the leadership development & ally engagement programming of the organization that is part of our education initiatives. Aliento works with high schools, community colleges, and universities to increase youth agency, leadership, and self-advocacy. Aliento provides paid fellowships & internships for school credit to help create and develop student hubs at high schools, colleges, and universities across Arizona. 3 Transform is our program rooted in the sentiment that no one can accomplish things alone. Aliento believes in broadening the coalition of support to create sustainable change in our communities and achieve Alientos mission of transforming trauma into hope and action. This is why we do professional development for educators, and host ally engagement training with faith leaders, school leaders, and state legislators. 4 Policy and Advocacy are our fourth approach to ensure systems and structures are equitable regardless of immigration status. In 2022, Alientos students, allies, and coalition partners advocacy led to the passage of in-state tuition and college scholarships for Arizona students regardless of immigration status.