"ENCORE seeks to enhance and develop college readiness programs by providing ongoing support and resources to ensure students graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce"

Our Vision:

"To develop an infrastructure of support that will allow communities to become vocal and active participants for the betterment of public education in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; empowering communities to break barriers to ensure all students graduate high school with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in higher education"

About ENCORE:

Engaging Communities for College Readiness (ENCORE) is a program developed by Texas Valley Communities Foundation with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to promote the importance of college readiness and higher education in the Rio Grande Valley. By developing a strong advocacy infrastructure in collaboration with education and community leaders, ENCORE serves as a catalyst for change as it lays the groundwork for mobilization and community engagement in support of college readiness. ENCORE works in partnership with community-based organizations, higher education institutions and K-12 schools to implement college readiness programs that make a difference across communities.

ENCORE has created a strategic direction and a community engagement framework to serve as a support system to promote college readiness to students and parents. ENCORE has developed and conducted interactive trainings adopting the train-the-trainer approach, empowering community leaders and organizations with the tools they need to become active and vocal constituencies in favor of college readiness.

The overarching goal of the ENCORE program is to increase social capital throughout the Rio Grande Valley and develop a culture that proactively seeks to improve organizing efforts in the area of education and community engagement.