Mission Statement
Our organization was founded with one main purpose; to provide a springboard for Hispanic students and their families to strive for a better life through education.
Specifically, the Hispanic Academic Achievers Program's mission goals are to:
  • Recognize Hispanic youth who perform well in the classroom
  • Motivate youth to start and keep doing well academically
  • Educate youth and their parents about the VALUE of an education 
    Educate youth and their parents about opportunities and resources available to afford a college education
  • Provide positive role models and examples of achievement 
    Encourage youth to pursue math, science, engineering and other professional careers historically poorly represented by women and minorities
  • Foster understanding of educational barriers and propel youth to overcome these barriers
  • Foster understanding of the Hispanic culture and facilitate all communities towards cultural awareness and understanding
HAAP is lead by a group a of professionals, educators, parents and community leaders. We believe all four components are essential to making a program like HAAP have a genuine positive effect on the students. It is essential to have the support of the schools districts.

"It only takes one child to graduate from college that comes from a family that has never had a college graduate. If one child graduates, then all the younger brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews will no longer ask the question, "Am I going to college?" but will ask the question, "What college am I going to?"
HAAP Facts
  • Started in 1989 with 237 Pasco students
  • Is now in Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, Finley, Burbank, Connell,  Moses Lake and Yakima communities
  • Has awarded over $1,600,000 scholarships since its inception.
  • Has recognized over 100,000 students in grades 4-12 in the last 29 years
  • Has a board of 17 "non-paid" volunteers who oversee the program HAAP has no paid staff 
  • Has hundreds of volunteers who contribute in each HAAP community 
  • Has the support of local school districts
  • Has received broad base community and business support
  • Provides support and mentors to students as they enroll in college
  • Provides higher education information to Spanish speaking parents
  • Works closely with colleges and universities to enhance scholarship, financial aid and counseling opportunities for its students
HAAP has been recognized for its Community educational leadership by:
    - The Mid-Columbia Education Alliance
    - El Comite de Dialogo Educacional
    - The Washington Apple Education Foundation
    - The Southwest Washington Association of School Administrators 
       (SEWASA) and the ESD #123
    - The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
    - The Society of Hispanic Professional engineers
    - The 2006 KCTS Golden Apple 
       Award Program for Excellence in Education 
    - 2019 Community Partner of the Year by Kennewick School District
​
HAAP encourages students to graduate from college and then give back to the community. This means volunteering through HAAP and many other broadbase community non-profit organizations like Kiwanis, March of Dimes, United Way and numerous others. We believe by contributing to the entire community one can have a greater impact in the Hispanic community!