Latinitas Austin

New census data reports the population size of Texas Hispanic K-12 students (2,325,000) is greater than the total population of the State of New Mexico (2,082,224), as well as fifteen other states. While there is a benefit to “power in numbers,” Latina youth actually face daunting statistics that put them in the lead of the highest rates of teen pregnancy, school drop-out, substance abuse and threat of suicide than all their peers and on the playing field of the 21st Century, the lowest access to technology and technology training than all their classmates.

In step with these challenges and what is it to be a “millennial” Hispanic girl, Latinitas was built with all these contexts in mind using digital media education and publications to inform, encourage, celebrate and propel Latina youth into success. Established in 2002, Latinitas, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, whose mission is to empower young Latinas through media and technology, has been a vital part of young Latinas’ lives through after school programs, teen internships, Saturday and summer camps, special events, and the very first online e-zine for young Latinas—www.latinitasmagazine.org. The bilingual magazine, written for and by young Latinas, provides a vehicle whereby these girls and young women not only see themselves positively reflected, but are also a part of the production.

To date Latinitas has:
• 30,000 readers per month accessing www.latinitasmagazine.org
• Served 20,000 elementary, middle and high school Latinas with after school enrichment programs
• Provided over 19,000 hours of free digital media production and literacy lessons
• Published over 1500 empowering articles for and by Hispanic girls and teens
• Developed Spring & Summer camps
• Incorporated mentors, interns and community partners to enrich the program and provide positive role models for the girls.
• Expanded the program to ten cities; new office opened in El Paso
• Developed a Teen Reporter in Training program for high school students