Mission and Strategy

The mission of LAUP is to empower Latinos to build a better community for all. Our strategy to accomplish this has been to provide two types of programs and services. We provide Supportive Services designed to empower families and individuals. By meeting their basic needs through our Supportive Services, clients are able to concentrate on their education, employment skills, language, personal development and other areas of empowerment. These education and empowerment programs together form LAUP's Steps to Success program.

Steps To Success

The objective of Steps to Success is to enable students to function better socially and economically. These objectives are achieved by offering classes that are vital for success in today's employment and social sectors. The program consists of the following classes: English as a Second Language, GED Preparation, and Computers in the Workplace. (More information about these classes can be found here)

Our Clients

The project serves mainly Hispanics, but is open to anyone who needs these services. Students that participate are either unemployed or employed looking to improve their situation. Step’s to success also helps families who are facing social challenges and language barriers that hinder their quests for a better quality of life. This is very important because it gives these families hope for themselves and for their children.

Youth Development 

Youth programming is under planning and development. Our traditional King and Queen contest now includes a mentorship/job shadowing element. We continue to assist students who want to go to college with scholarships. We also conduct an annual Hispanic Youth Leadership Conference and an ongoing Hispanic Youth Leadership Program. These programs are geared to encourage students to complete high school education and seriously pursue professional careers and higher education.

LAUP's Unique Role

In 2006, Michigan Future Inc. released a report in which 4 area Chambers of Commerce formed a coalition to enhance business development and success. The name of the report is named “Strategies for a culturally Competent Region”. It emphasized that diversity is now part of our culture and is key in business strategy and development. The report also recognizes that there is much to gain from the richness of a multi-cultural community. Another key finding of a report from the West Michigan Strategic Alliance indicates that our area needs prepare for a more educated workforce so we will be able to fill a variety of highly skilled jobs. Such dynamics will support success in our region economically and socially. This is exactly what LAUP seeks to accomplish through our Steps to Success and Youth Development Programs.