Founded by and for the Community
The Boston HERC is founded by a group of first-generation Latino community members from Congregation Lion of Judah, a Spanish-speaking church in Roxbury.
The Boston HERC operates as a college advising and access center, mostly working with students one-on-one and in SAT prep classes.
Passport Program Launches
Some of Boston HERC’s brightest students enter college but quickly boomerang back home. In response, the flagship Passport to College Program is officially established as an after-school program for high school students. Using a cohort model, it equips students with the 21st-century skills needed not only to enroll in college but also to persist and succeed.
Passport Program Expands into Boston Public Schools
In order to reach a much greater volume of students, the Boston HERC begins school-based programming during students' school days. The first school partners are Josiah Quincy Upper School and the English High School.
The Boston HERC becomes an independent organization
The Boston HERC receives its 501c3 status as an independent organization with a dedicated Board of Directors, further enabling its expansion.
Alumni Success Program Launches
In response to the global pandemic, Boston HERC launched this program earlier than planned to extend support to students throughout their postsecondary education journeys.
The Boston HERC is named a 2020 Social Innovator by the Social Innovation Forum.
Carolina De Jesus, a Latina first-generation college graduate who led the organization’s flagship Passport Program for over ten years, is voted in as the new Executive Director—only the second executive leader in Boston HERC’s 25-year history.
Boston HERC reaches a milestone by partnering with 10 high schools and serving over 1,400 students annually.
Expanding Boston HERC’s Proven Model to More Communities
The Passport and Alumni Success Programs launch at Revere and Chelsea High Schools, paving the way for Boston HERC to extend its proven model to additional cities in need of greater college and career access resources.