Our
mission is to contribute to the fullest development of Latino immigrants
and their families through education, training and employment that fosters
full participation in the changing United States society while preserving
cultural identity and dignity.
In the last 30 years, Instituto has emerged as a pioneering voice in
the education and training of Latina/o immigrants and their families
in Chicago. Instituto
started as a church-based volunteer program offering recent Latina/o immigrants
the opportunity to learn English, find employment, and accustom their children
to the U.S. educational systems. Instituto has now evolved into a leading city,
state and regional educational institution catering to over 14,000 participants
and families annually.
Instituto’s vision is to drive the movement of
immigrant integration by stimulating the economy with highly skilled
and educated workers. Instituto
believes that real change can be achieved by investing in human capital
and in our next generation of leaders.
At Instituto we believe that education
is power – the power and freedom to live and enjoy the best of
what this country has to offer. It is the power to provide for our families
and ensure a better quality of life. Fuel the Power!
Awards and Recognition
2012 cited as an example of the effective use of contextualization in Bridge programs by the US Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education in the “Adult College Completion Tool Kit”
2011 White House Champion of Change in Service and Social Innovation
2010 Excelencia in Education Award, Associate Level
2009 National Council of La Raza Affiliate of the Year
2008 Recognition of Excellence Award by the U.S. Department of Labor
2008 Strengthening Hispanic Families Award, The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the National Council of La Raza
2008 Program of the Year by the Illinois Council for Continued and Higher Education.
2008 Bellwether Award Finalist in Workforce Development
2007 National Exemplary Program in Workforce Development Award by the National Council for Continued Education and Training
One of the six pathway programs in the nation selected by The Aspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative for the Courses to Employment Project
One of the top five Bridge and Pathway program by the US Department of Education
One of top three and the most comprehensive career pathways in the nation by the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (University of Minnesota)
