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Comunidades Realizando

Estudiantes extraOrdinarios

EMPOWERING STUDENTS. BUILDING FUTURES.

If you are thinking about going to college and pursuing a degree in the future but don’t have any idea how to make that happen, you have come to the right place! 

CREO provides mentorship to first-generation college students -

that means high school students would be the first in their families to complete college degrees in the United States.

Many students try to figure it out on their own.

Some rely on Counselors, Teachers, Coaches, and peers to sort it out. Then they go home and explain it to their parents and try to convince them that investing in higher education is better than just getting a job after high school. 

You don’t have to do it alone

CREO provides FREE services for High School Students that include:

  • Weekly Academic Coaching/Mentoring

  • College Visits for students and families

  • Monthly Bilingual Workshops for families to learn together

  • Summer Programs on College Campuses

  • Help with college and scholarship applications

  • Research on College Majors and Career Goals

 “Having my mentor put in so much effort motivates me to push myself and do my best. Because of her, I've applied to scholarships and schools with low acceptance rates because it’s always worth a try. She’s always telling me about new scholarships and programs that would be a good fit for me.”

  • Applying to College may seem like a long way off in the future, but your chances of getting into college and finding scholarships improve with developing successful academic habits. 

    As you explore your interests and the opportunities for career exploration, you can narrow your focus and find summer programs to develop your passions. 

    Many seniors ask CREO for help, and we have to turn them down. Why? Because there isn’t much we can do for them. 

    You have to start as early as you can!

  • When you are a first generation college student, you don’t know what you don’t know.


    Having a mentor means you know someone who has been through the process and can give you advice and encouragement, explaining how to plan and make better decisions to save you time and money.


  • Our mentors come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are in college now. Many are also first-generation students, and a good number are also Hispanic/Latino.  Some are young professionals working in the areas they studied in college. Others are established in their careers and have lots of experience developing their career. Others are retired and have some extra time on their hands.

  • We look for common interests in careers, personal interests, and personality. All of our volunteers undergo a thorough vetting process that includes a comprehensive background check and specialized training.

CREO is a bilingual, family-centered program that empowers parents and students with the resources and mentors they need to understand and successfully navigate this unknown world.

CREO began in 2019 and has helped over 35 DuPage County high school students graduate and go on to schools, including:

Aurora, Benedictine, College of DuPage, Columbia (NY), DePaul,

Dominican, Elmhurst, Illinois State, Iowa State,

Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois -Urbana/Champaign