Jóvenes Adelante – A Higher Education Renaissance [] Rotary Club Presentation

Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende
– Rotario Midday, A.C. –

Jóvenes Adelante
– A Higher Education Renaissance –
Guest Speaker: Don Krim

Recorded: Tuesday, May 11, 2021

YouTube Link:  https://youtu.be/1_GgQnDdBTA

Despite substantial obstacles — including shut down schools amidst a pandemic — San Miguel’s college-age population is showing an explosion of interest in higher learning. To explore the reasons for this as well as the opportunities it presents everyone in SMA, the Mid-Day Rotary Club (via Zoom)  hosted Don Krim, President and Director of Development for Jóvenes Adelante, along with the Rotary’s own Carla Cadena, herself a graduate of and mentor for Jóvenes  Adelante. Jóvenes Adelante is celebrating its 20 year anniversary and is the most robust and comprehensive university education scholarship support program in Mexico. The program consists of a premium scholarship including a laptop computer, individual mentoring, access to professional psychological support, success-based soft skills courses, an English requirement, and payment for professional credentialing. This 5 year commitment to the student throughout the educational journey is the reason why JA students boast an 85% graduation rate compared to the national average 26%.

The presenters shared an update on the incoming 2021 class applicants, who they are, and what their motivations are. They also discussed how all of SMA benefits from these aspiring students and how we can help.

Since moving to SMA permanently in late 2015, Don Krim has been an active member of the San Miguel community.  Serving with Jovenes Adelante as Development Director, President, mentor and sponsor, he writes regular articles for Atención; he presides over his neighborhood homeowner association; Many locally are familiar with Don as a singer and actor as he has appeared in several concerts and theatre productions since his arrival. Don holds a BA in Theatre Arts and MS degree in Kinesiology/Applied sports psychology and is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, a process that works to change movement techniques in everyday life to improve balance and coordination.

Accompanying Don is Lic. Carla Maria Cadena Rios, a JA student from 2014 to 2018.  She’s been a Project Assistant to the Mid-Day Rotary Club since 2016 and is the Administrative