Additional Class Information (Youth & Families)

Pilas Family Literacy Program

The Pilas Family Literacy Program for Latinx families is dedicated to bringing together families with children ages 0-13 to learn simultaneously and engage in shared learning activities. The program offers ESL classes for caregivers, academic support for children, childcare, family activities, cultural celebrations, and connections to local resources.

The skills gained help caregivers more deeply engage in their children’s education and develop skills that help them get better jobs; prepare preschoolers for kindergarten; and help children improve academically. Equally important, it is a space where Latinx families build community and gain important connections with one another.

Plaza currently runs the Pilas program in three school districts in Lane County - Bethel School District, Springfield Public Schools, and South Lane School District. Families accepted into the program receive full scholarships.

Pilas - Bethel School District (Eugene) and Springfield Public Schools (Springfield)

Classes meet two evenings a week from 6:00-8:00 PM during 10-week sessions held in the fall at schools in the Bethel and Springfield School Districts.

CLASSES OFFERED

• English as a Second Language (ESL) for adults - Beginner and Intermediate levels

• 4th-8th grade

• K-3rd grade

• Pre-k

• Childcare

The sessions for the 2024-25 academic year are as follows:

• Fall 2024: September 30th - December 5th (Bethel Tu/Th, Springfield Mon/Wed)

Pilas - South Lane School District (Cottage Grove)

The Pilas program in Cottage Grove serves families who speak Spanish, Mam or other Latin American Indigenous languages as their primary language. It is uniquely offered in coordination with Lane Community College (LCC), and parents/caregivers are registered as LCC students and taught by LCC instructors.

Classes meet two evenings a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:00 PM during 11-week sessions held in the fall at a school in the South Lane School District.

CLASSES OFFERED

• English as a Second Language (ESL) for adults - Beginner and Intermediate levels

• 2nd - 8th grade

• Pre-K - 1st grade

• Childcare

The sessions for the 2024-25 academic year are as follows:

• Fall 2024:  October 1st - December 12th

Familias Poderosas

Plaza’s Familias Poderosas program is a parent-cafe style program (What is a parent cafe?) rooted in popular education with the overarching goal of strengthening families and community engagement.

This is a facilitated space for parents to connect, share, and learn, recognizing parents as partners in delivering the program. While the core curriculum includes specific modules designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of participants’ children, support leadership development, and promote civic engagement, this unique format encourages participants to help direct additional program content that aligns with the overall goals of the program.

With our guiding principle of "Compartiendo llegamos más lejos" (By sharing, we go further), we strive to cultivate confident parents, resilient families, and dynamic community leaders.

The program is conducted in Spanish and is free of charge.

Program temporarily paused. Check back soon for updates!

Pasos al Futuro Program

A partnership between Plaza and Lane Community College, the Pasos al Futuro/Puertas Abiertas program engages Latine youth ages 15-19 by providing a fun, culturally affirming space for self-discovery and growth of skills, knowledge, confidence and connection.

During the academic year, Pasos/Puertas program activities are offered on a regular basis and include connecting with community resources, hearing from presenters on topics of interest, engaging in volunteer service activities, and gaining skills important for the future, such as resume building, scholarship writing, job searching, personal financial management, and navigating the health system. Participants also build leadership skills and pride in multiculturalism through fun, interactive activities.

The Pasos/Puertas summer program includes many of these same elements, but has a stronger focus on recreation and accessing resources throughout the community, including college visits. The summer program runs for a month with several activities offered each week.

Summer 2025 Session

Our summer program includes leadership activities, workshops on financial literacy, scholarship writing, résumé writing, field trips to college campuses, and recreational outings. The curriculum provides a strong foundation fo celebrating bicultural identity, student success, and personal empowerment.

We are offering 14 sessions between June and July 2025. To successfully complete the program and be eligible to graduate, receive a certificate, a graduation stole, and participate in the graduation ceremony, students must attend at least 80% of the mandatory sessions.

Pasos/Puertas Summer 2025 program is June 28th to July 19th.

Important Dates:

• May 5 - Applications are available 

• June 15 - Application Deadline

• June 20 - Students will receive an acceptance notice 

• June 25 - Students will confirm their attendance before this date 

• June 28 - Required orientation session for all students and their families

• June 30 - July 19 - Classes & activities - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Note: There will be no program activities on July 3–4 in observance of the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Nota: No habrá actividades del programa el 3 y 4 de julio en conmemoración del fin de semana del Día de la Independencia.

• Bike Tour

• Disc Golf

• College Success

• Financial Literacy

• Oregon State University

• Résumé Writing

• Scholarship Writing

• University of Oregon

Important Information:

• For high school students 15 years and older.

• Program offered free of charge.

• Participants will receive lunch, bus passes and school supplies.

• Priority consideration is given to complete applications.

Register now! Enrollment is limited to 25 students per session

Pasos/Puertas Academic year 2024-25 (more to come!)

The program is currently being redesigned to meet the changing needs of students. Check back soon to learn more!

Multicultural Afterschool Program (MAPAS)

A result of a collaboration in response to Oregon Department of Education’s Latinx and Indigenous Student Success plan, Plaza’s MAPAS program serves middle and high school students in the Bethel and Springfield School Districts.

Held after school in buildings in their respective districts, students participate in activities focused on positive cultural identity, growing social skills, leadership, conflict resolution, and much more. It is a space where youth find connection, familiarity, and support from bilingual staff. Importantly, they have a lot of fun!

Plaza runs four separate afterschool groups, one for both middle and high school students in each of the two districts as follows:

Bethel:

• Willamette High School Mon 3:40-5:40 PM
• Cascade Middle School - Wed 3:25-5:25 PM

Springfield:

• Thurston High School Tues 3:15 PM-5:30 PM
• Agnes Stewart Middle School Thurs 3:15 PM-5:30 PM

The school districts are often able to arrange transportation home to support student access to these programs.

Program offered free of charge