The mission of Senderos is to create pathways to success and build community by sharing Latino culture through traditional arts and by fostering educational opportunities. Senderos, meaning pathways, provides equitable access to after school Mexican folkloric dance and traditional music classes. Senderos creates a shared sense of belonging for immigrant families, preserving their cultural traditions across generations, and expanding educational opportunities.
Senderos youth feel supported in their development, proudly showcasing their talent in many community and school festivals, and encouraged to achieve their dreams for college and career. For 22 years, Senderos has brought cultural arts, education, and community together while increasing the understanding and acceptance of diversity throughout Santa Cruz County.
Senderos is rooted in the cultural experience of the Mexican immigrant community in Santa Cruz County. We will expand FREE after-school Mexican folkloric dance and traditional music instruction for Latinx youth, most of whom are low-income and cannot participate in extracurricular activities. We provide musical instruments and traditional dance outfits for practice and performance so there are no barriers to participate.
Senderos programs connect young people to their family heritage, enhance self-esteem, and push for academic success leading to higher education. Showcased in over 30 community and school events each year, Senderos youth and their families feel valued in the public arena, opening up avenues for positive collaboration and greater tolerance. The results reverberate into the community by encouraging confidence, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, cultural awareness, relationship building, and dreaming big.
Please support Latinx youth and their families!
Senderos has helped me grow in various ways that has overall made me the person I am today. I've been dancing with Senderos since the age of eight because my mom wanted me to be able to connect back to my home roots in Oaxaca, and doing baile folklórico was the perfect bridge to make that connection come alive. I am pleased to see how much the community has supported Senderos and how I am able to bring joy as being a part of Senderos.
Nadia, Santa Cruz, 18, college student/scholarship recipient
