2008 Annual Report
Executive Letters

From the Board President,
Stephanie Puentes

In the spring of 2008, the long-awaited DCP dream was realized when the Downtown College Prep community celebrated the success of its first college graduates. In an impersonal world where information consists of a constant barrage of instant sound bites, and text messaging is considered having a conversation, I am honored to be part of a committed community that labored steadily over eight years to achieve a dream.

To see students, families, staff, and volunteers working together every day toward a common vision is inspiring and has been by far, one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Those young college graduates are the embodiment of DCP’s mission and stand tall as shining examples of what can be accomplished if you have the ganas to reach for your dream.

As DCP’s Board President I am filled with orgullo to be associated with an organization that believes in success for all students and then makes that belief a reality. Thank you for sharing that belief and for being part of the DCP success. I invite you to continue to travel with us on DCP’s exciting journey.

Sincerely,

From the Executive Director,
Jennifer Andaluz

When I walked into the classroom the students were reading silently. The teacher moved from student to student helping them understand the passage about family reunions.

There are still students in our community who simply can’t read. We know them—they are high school dropouts, they are in juvenile detention centers and they are young mothers.

This teacher represents more than the work that still needs to be done. She stands for the work that has already begun. She is a DCP alumna. She is a teacher.

Last year, 20% of DCP’s first class graduated from college in four years. Another 20% will graduate in 5 years. Our alumni are investing in their community—they recognize their responsibility to influence positive change in the lives of others.

Downtown College Prep believes that all students deserve the chance to go to college. This year we have extended our mission to the students and families of Alviso located in north San Jose. The school serves grades 6-12; its first class will graduate in 2014. We feel privileged to work with the local community and the Santa Clara Unified School District to prepare more students for college success.

I have the greatest respect for each of you—our supporters—for your commitment to our mission.  You have resisted lowering expectations, even as our work becomes more difficult in a struggling economy. You have signaled hope. Like the teacher, you have enabled true and positive change that will be felt for generations.

Thank You,