Nuevo Amanecer Latino understands that within the realm of foster care, our transitional age youth population in particular, are at risk of exiting foster care without acquiring the self sufficiency skills necessary live independently.
In 2013, Nuevo Amanecer Latino launched its Mentoring services which are led by former foster youth Enrique Montiel. After having spent more than eleven years in the foster care system, seven of them under the care of Nuevo Amanecer Latino, Enrique has gone on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from California Polytechnic University of Pomona, in 2006. Enrique was also one of the first college students to be part of the Renaissance Scholars Program at Cal Poly Pomona which aims at empowering former foster youth through education. Additionally, Enrique also went on to receive his Masters degree of Science in Psychology in 2008.
Nuevo Amanecer Latino’s Mentoring services aims at providing services to prepare and equipped our Transitional Age Youth (TAY) population to be independent and self sufficient after exiting from the foster care system. What makes this services so unique is that it is run by former foster youth who also went on to obtain a college degree,are employed with Nuevo Amanecer Latino, and were also under the care of Nuevo Amanecer Latino. The staple of this services is “The Real World” Independent Living Skills (ILP) training that are provided on an annual basis to youth.
The Real World Training include : College, Financial Aid ,Housing, Money Management, Employment, Gang Awareness, STD’s Prevention and Safe Sex, Drug Awareness, Available Resource Available to eligible ILP youth.
NALCS has made collaborations, partnerships, and connections with the following organizations/programs which have reached out to our youth at our Real World ILP training:
Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San GabrielValley, Inc. 526 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104
Christina Boothman
Community Education Manager
Homeboy Industries 130 W. Bruno St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Los Angeles Job Corps 217 W. 11th St. LA., CA 90015
Blanquita Siongco
Admissions Counselor
Cal Poly Pomona
Renaissance Scholars Program 3801 West Temple Ave
Pomona, CA 91768
Sara Gamez
Coordinator
Cal State Fullerton
Guardian Scholars Program 6828 P.O Box C-120
Fullerton, CA 92834
Grace Johnson, Director
Mt. San Antonio College Extended Opportunity Program & Services
Concepcion Toledo
EOPS Outreach Specialist
Since 2013, NALCS has provided ILP training and have graduated 300 youth ranging from 16-21 years old. 17% of the youth that participated in our ILP training have gone on to graduate from high school and pursue higher education via UC, CSU, Community College, or trade school.
Enrique Montiel, Masters of Science, Psychology Quality Improvement Supervisor
Mr. Montiel has been working for Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children’s Services for twelve years and has gained extensive knowledge of the foster care system. A former graduate from California Polytechnic University of Pomona, where he received his Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, Mr. Montiel has gone on to further his education and receive a Master’s of Science in Psychology. Mr. Montiel is a product of the foster care system as he went on to spend more than eleven years in foster care, six of those with Nuevo Amanecer Latino. In 2006, Mr. Montiel came back to work for Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children’s Services and since then has grown professionally. Mr. Montiel has found a passion in helping at risk foster youth reach success and overcome the obstacles of foster care. Mr. Montiel is an active alumni of the Renaissance Scholars Program, a college program at Cal Poly Pomona designed to help former foster youth succeed in college. With this experience, since 2006 Mr. Montiel has led and developed Nuevo Amanecer Latino’s Independent Living and Mentoring Program. Mr. Montiel has also made numerous collaborations with partners such as the CSUF Guardian Scholars, LA Job Cops., Homeboy Industries, Planned Parenthood, and United Friends of the Children. Mr. Montiel believes that all foster youth should be given and taught the appropriate independent skills and knowledge needed to prepare them for life after foster care. For Mr. Montiel, his goal is to teach foster youth that “your past does not have to dictate your future… that who you are and where you come from, will not determine who you will be unless you allow it.”
Natali Magallon, Bachelors of Arts, Sociology Resource Family Social Worker
Ms. Magallon has been working for Nuevo Amanecer Latino Children’s Services for five years and has gained extensive knowledge of the foster care system. A former graduate from California State University of Long Beach, where She received her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, Ms. Magallon has gone on to further her education and is currently working towards a Master’s of Science in Psychology. Ms. Magallon is a product of foster care system as she went on to spend more than eleven years in foster care, five of those with NALCS. In 2014, Ms. Magallon came back to work for NALCS and since then, has grown professionally and as a person. The fact that Ms. Magallon was part of the foster care system has made her more passionate and dedicated at her job as she can relate and understand what foster youth go through. Ms. Magallon has found a passion in helping at risk foster youth reach success and overcome the obstacles of foster care. With this experience, since 2014 Ms. Magallon has been part of the developed NALCS’ Independent Living and Mentoring Program by Enrique Montiel and Corina Haro. Ms. Magallon has also made numerous collaborations with partners such as the Department of Children & Family Services Foster youth Mentoring, Motivational Speaker and Organizer “Free Arts for Abused Children” also named the Ambassador of the program, mentoring youth for “Impacting Hearts” and United Friends of the Children. Ms. Magallon believes that all foster youth should be given and taught the appropriate independent skills and knowledge needed to prepare them for life after foster care. For Ms. Magallon, her goal is to teach foster youth that “no one can determine who you are or who you will be, or even judge, stereotype just for your background history”. Be yourself and always believe in yourself no matter what others might think of you.