Educación es Poder.
Building Pathways, Creating Opportunities, Leading Change.
How We Build Power
The Time is YA Network empowers Latino communities through education, identity, and leadership creating pathways to thrive in school, business, and civic life.
We create spaces where our communities learn, lead, and rise—together.
🧠 Learn at Your Own Pace
Courses designed to support personal growth, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
🤝 Grow in Community
Programs like 8 Poderosas and Latina Voices that center identity, confidence, and connection.
🎤 Show Up & Connect
Events like the Latinos in Education Conference that bring our community together.
Our Mission
Heading 4
To empower Latino communities through civic engagement, education, and economic wellness, fostering a network of leaders dedicated to creating lasting social change.
Our Vision
Heading 4
A society where Latino communities thrive through active civic participation, educational advancement, and economic empowerment, with a strong network of leaders driving inclusive, lasting change for future generations.
Our Values
Heading 4
People – Empower and uplift Latino communities through education, civic engagement, and leadership.
Planet – Advocate for environmentally sustainable practices that support both the community and the planet's health.
Profit – Promote economic wellness and financial literacy to help communities thrive and achieve sustainable growth.
One significant factor driving Latino immigration to the United States is the search for better education and employment opportunities. Education plays a crucial role in this process, as it often serves as the only viable pathway out of extreme poverty. However, upon arrival, Latino students often encounter numerous challenges in their pursuit of education and integration.
Socioeconomic Challenges: With poverty rates for Latinos more than double those of non-Hispanic whites, financial limitations pose an immediate obstacle to accessing high-quality education. This disparity can limit students' access to resources essential for academic achievement and personal growth.
Navigational Barriers: Many immigrant parents, unfamiliar with the U.S. education system, find it challenging to navigate enrollment, understand educational costs, and locate financial aid opportunities. This knowledge gap often restricts students’ ability to succeed in their new environment.
Under-resourced Schools: Schools may need more resources to support students who enter at a disadvantage, making it harder to address issues like language barriers and cultural differences. However, with the right support systems, there will be academic progress and a sense of stability among Latino students.
Education
For Latinos, economic wellness represents a state where individuals and communities enjoy financial stability, empowerment, and the freedom to make choices that enrich their quality of life. Achieving economic wellness hinges on several crucial elements, which our organization prioritizes as follows:
Entrepreneurial Support: We focus on providing essential resources and training to help community members start and sustain their businesses and enterprises. By fostering entrepreneurship, we empower individuals to contribute to local economic growth and create opportunities for others.
By addressing these key areas, we can make significant strides in enhancing economic wellness within Latino communities. This will ultimately lead to improved financial security, empowerment, and overall quality of life.
Economic Wellness
Judy Castro, EdD
Advisory Board Member
Castro Consulting, LLC
Andrea Garcia
Advisory Board Member
Touro University
José Rivas, EdD
Advisory Board Member
Rivas Works LLC
Cassandra Cortez
Advisory Board Member
UC DAVIS DVM Student 2026
Patricia Cardenas
Advisory Board Member
Medical Interpreter
Karla Valdez
Advisory Board Member
World Teacher
Our Team
Our team is comprised of devoted and knowledgeable professionals who are deeply committed to improving education, economic wellness, and civic engagement within the Latino community. With diverse backgrounds in education, community advocacy, and grassroots organizing, our team brings a wealth of expertise and experience to support our mission.
MARISELA BARBOSA-CORTEZ - Founder, CEO
DANIELA RODRIGUEZ VASQUEZ -Marketing Specialist
Our team is comprised of devoted and knowledgeable professionals who are deeply committed to improving education, economic wellness, and civic engagement within the Latino community. With diverse backgrounds in education, community advocacy, and grassroots organizing, our team brings a wealth of expertise and experience to support our mission.
MARISELA BARBOSA-CORTEZ - Founder, CEO
DANIELA RODRIGUEZ VASQUEZ -Marketing Specialist
We are Catalyzing Latino Influence!
Latino civic participation holds immense importance in fostering an inclusive and empowered society. As a significant and rapidly growing demographic in the United States, increased engagement in civic matters allows Latinos to ensure their needs and interests are accurately represented in policy-making processes. Furthermore, their active involvement in addressing pressing community issues enhances a sense of empowerment and encourages positive change. Through the integration of diverse perspectives in public discourse, the democratic process is strengthened, and future generations are inspired to become engaged citizens and leaders. Ultimately, supporting and promoting Latino civic participation paves the way for a more equitable and representative society that values the voices and contributions of all its members.
Civic Participation
A Message from Our Founder
This work is personal.
I created The Time is YA Network to ensure our communities don’t just access education—but lead, shape, and transform it.
Every program, every event, and every space we create is rooted in the belief that our stories, our voices, and our leadership matter.
—Marisela Barbosa Cortez