In this issue...

There are moments when you see it all come together...

When you realize that impact comes in many forms and at different levels…

…That university-age Mexicans, inspiring hope and social mobility, are unfolding before your eyes and building the new, future Mexico.

When new students and their parents see the larger JA family together, and JA earns their trust…

…Their commitment.

A new student leaves with the sense of a new family, of camaraderie; of their higher education journey just beginning or finally reaching fruition, with hope, and (some) with that all important new computer.

Some have been inspired by an older sibling, others will inspire their younger ones, or a cousin or just a kid down the street, or perhaps a classmate.

Each student who enters JA (or even applies) represents an individual impact point of light. Individual lights begin to radiate towards others in their immediate sphere.

Each parent sees the larger context, learns how to support, some even volunteering for upcoming events. They learn who we are, and that they can trust JA.

Over time, this impact expands to a larger community, and can either affect, is mirrored by, or is even adopted on a systemic level.

As JA has grown from 4 students in 2001 to 170 in 2026, the number of university students across all of Mexico has risen from less than 2 million to 4 million. Demand increases for JA, with hundreds of aspiring applicants each year. High school graduation rates have gone from 45% to more than 60% in only a few short years. Half a million university students graduate per year in Mexico - still representing only 34% of those enrolled, while students supported through Jóvenes Adelante graduate at an 83% rate. Scale takes time. Systemic changes take partnerships, including government commitments and the private sector.

As President and Development Director for the better part of the past 8 years, I see how many things are now coming together. Despite challenging times politically and economically, JA has always been, and continues to remain ahead of the curve.

Editor Don Krim