After 10 years working in student services, financial aid administration, and Division 1 NCAA compliance at the nation's top public university, UCLA-and a combined 20 years of experience working in student services at public colleges and universities, I was inspired to create a space uniquely designed to guide our youth, break cycles of poverty, and increase the educational attainment of historically marginalized communities in the southern border community of Yuma, AZ.
​
I founded Florecer Yuma, AZ. to foster a flourishing, resilient community made stronger. through the educational attainment of our youth. Florecer Yuma, AZ supports youth to reach their full potential and flourish.
​
Audren Morris-Sandoval, MPP
Founder & Executive Director
Welcome to Florecer Yuma, AZ
​
​
The FLORECER YUMA program fosters a college-going culture and achieves equity in college access and preparedness for adolescent youth by equipping and empowering students and parents with culturally specific tools to navigate pathways to higher education.
​
​
Our programs and services increase the knowledge, trajectory, and preparedness to pursue higher education. The program offers comprehensive academic support services, pro-social activities, mentorship, and college readiness programming delivered in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
​
Priority is given to students who are from low and very low-income communities who have been historically marginalized or have suffered learning loss as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
COMMUNITY RESILIENCE ACHEIVED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Yuma County is a rural agriculture community located along the U.S.-Mexico Border. This Southern Border Community is designated by the EPA Inflation Reduction Act as a disadvantaged community. According to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Yuma County has 14 colonias including the Cocopah Indian Reservation. Colonias are defined as rural communities within the US-Mexico border region that lack adequate water, sewer, decent housing, or a combination of all three.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
The residents of South Yuma County are largely comprised of migrant and seasonal farmworkers who have limited English proficiency and have been historically marginalized. They have low educational attainment, earn low wages, and lack adequate and affordable housing. Most lack access to adequate healthcare.
​
With an intervention program such as FLORECER YUMA to guide our youth, a cycle of poverty is broken, educational attainment is improved, and a historically marginalized community flourishes. Community resilience is achieved through educational attainment and the community is made stronger.
​
​
​
​
Florecer en la Frontera