About Us

The Fast Forward Youth Program works with 10th and 12th grade high school students from Monticello,Melrose and St. Cloud. We strive to reinforce the importance of working hard in school, graduating from high school, and pursuing higher education, and we provide some of the tools needed to accomplish these goals. The FFYP staff and College Mentors guide students through a series of college preparatory workshops during after-school sessions at our collaborating sites. We also aim to increase cultural awareness among students, volunteers and staff by engaging in dialogue and activities that focus on cultural heritage and identity. In addition, students have the opportunity to visit several colleges each year and spend time giving back to their communities through service activities.

We have traditionally focused our programming for Latino/a youth in the Central Minnesota region, but as of fall 2007, we have shifted our focus to students of any background who are from low-income families and/or are potential first generation college students. We see this as an important step in crossing intercultural boundaries and opening up our resources to as many students as possible.

The Fast Forward Youth Program has been running successfully for over a decade and we are looking forward to a bright future. Our staff and volunteers continue to be a dedicated team that focuses on the success of our high school student participants. We are excited about the opportunity to help more of our students achieve their dreams of going to college!