As an ELLA, you will connect with other Latinas throughout the Bay Area who are interested in serving our communities, building relationships with one another, and creating change. Through this program, you will not only connect with like minded mujeres, but also have access to Latina professionals from all kinds of backgrounds. From STEM to Education, to the NonProfit Sector and Business…you will have the opportunity to connect through interactive workshops, one on one conversations, and mentorship with women who have been right where you are now. Our sisterhood extends beyond the program sessions, providing a supportive space for discussions on career planning, personal and professional goal setting, and navigating life transitions juntas.

Each ELLA team is paired with a mentor who has experience relevant to the subject matter of your community project. Our ELLA teams partner with local organizations to learn about how they are addressing social issues. Previous year’s ELLA teams have focused on addressing issues such as: the correlation between Housing Instability and Domestic Violence, the relationship between Mental Health and Immigration, and the Latina Wage Gap to name a few. ELLAs learn from the work happening on the ground now, and brainstorm how they can further the work, or create a community proposal working towards potential solutions. In past years this has looked like: drafting policy memos to Elected Officials to push for a specific Public Policy solution, developing workshop curriculum for local community organizers, and even starting a series of mini workshops for middle school girls to feel empowered to run for Student Body. This kind of hands-on experience of pairing community engagement, public policy and community action have been invaluable to previous ELLAs.

Becoming an ELLA is a unique opportunity to challenge not only your professional, but also your personal development. You will learn how to show up sincerely as yourself in professional spaces with confidence, knowing your background and your story have power. By connecting with your fellow ELLAs and learning from one another as well as our workshop presenters, mentors, Board and Committee members…you will learn not only more about yourself, but your communities too.