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Educate. Elevate. Integrate

Future Leaders Academy for Middle Schoolers (FLAM)

 
 

FLAM empowers middle-school students and their parents with the tools, resources, and skills to successfully transition to high school. Through interactive workshops, activities, and college tours, students and their parents learn about the importance of taking rigorous classes in high school, being involved in extracurricular activities, taking on leadership positions, and volunteering in the community.

In addition, they learn about the various post-secondary paths, including technical colleges, community colleges, and 4+ year public and private universities.

 

LeadNow Clubs

 
 

LeadNow is UnidosNow’s middle and high school student engagement program, based out of middle and high schools in Sarasota and Manatee, whose main goal is to promote a culture of postsecondary planning and readiness.

With support from the UnidosNow team and school staff, this program provides students with an opportunity to take on leadership roles, create peer-to-peer connections, and increase the reach of UnidosNow’s programs across middle and high schools. Students select a college and career readiness topic of their choice and design a variety of projects throughout the school year to raise awareness about the postsecondary options available and encourage students to dream big and plan for their future.

What students achieve through LEADNow

The purpose of LeadNow is to empower students to engage with their peers, develop leadership skills, and foster a college and career readiness culture at their schools. Student Leaders at middle and high schools in Manatee and Sarasota counties work to educate their peers on the college admissions/career readiness process while gaining leadership skills and volunteering in the community.

Interested in becoming a student leader?

As a Student Leader, you will become knowledgeable in a topic related to college and career readiness—you will receive our "training" material after you sign up through the application—and do at least two projects throughout the school year that promote your topic and reach a good amount of students (at least 10 per project).

These projects can be presentations, promotional fliers, posts or campaigns on social media, group volunteer days, and so much more! While this can sound intimidating, projects can be as simple as putting together a small presentation on PowerPoint and showing it to your peers, tabling during lunch to promote a scholarship or another opportunity, etc. You will also participate in virtual group meetings where we keep track of progress, share updates and experiences, and brainstorm future activities.

 

Future Leaders Academy (FLA)

 
 

The Future Leaders Academy (FLA) is a rigorous year-round program focused on addressing the disparity in college enrollment of low-income, first-generation Latinx high school students and their families in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

The program provides college preparation for students interested in attending four and two-year colleges or pursuing a post-secondary path that includes a high-quality certification or technical career. Students in the program receive individual coaching and assistance with ACT/SAT preparation, essay and personal statement writing, resume building, scholarship applications, FAFSA applications, and college tours. Additionally, they will develop their leadership skills, and participate in community service opportunities, while their families learn more about college selection and career readiness.

Students take on leadership roles through the existing 10 high school clubs in Sarasota and Manatee providing peer support and promoting a culture of post-secondary education.

We are looking for rising high school Juniors and Seniors who are committed and will prioritize this program among other extracurricular activities. Applications will be reviewed holistically, while grades and scores are important, students are strongly encouraged to spend sufficient time on the essay section to reflect their uniqueness and to demonstrate why they believe they are a strong candidate for the program.

Applications for our 2025-26 cohort are now closed. We will reopen applications for our 2026-27 cohort in January of 2026. 

 

Postsecondary Pathways

 
 
 

Our Postsecondary Pathways program is uniquely tailored to non-traditional Latino/Hispanic students seeking a brighter future.

This innovative program can benefit young adults who were not able to start college immediately after high school or adults who want the chance to go back to school or gain a certification that will increase their income.

Postsecondary Pathways offers comprehensive one-on-one support including:

  • Career and college exploration

  • Assistance with meeting prerequisites like entrance exams

  • Completing the GED

  • Help completing applications

  • Securing financial aid and scholarships.

Our bilingual Education Navigator guides students every step of the way, from application to certification or college completion.

This initiative promises to break down barriers and open doors, transforming lives and nurturing the full potential of our community's aspiring professionals. Join us in this empowering journey towards educational success and career fulfillment!

Please note that candidates must be 18 or over and be authorized to work in the U.S. to qualify for this program.

 
 

Parent Leadership

 
 

Our Parent Leadership program empowers parents with the skills development, leadership, communication, relationship building, and community involvement. They learn to understand and navigate the education system to advocate for their children, thereby increasing their parental engagement, helping improve their children's academic performance and school attendance.

Parents are able to enhance their knowledge and confidence to be active, integrated, and contributing members of the community. This program is offered in Sarasota and Manatee counties.