Bonita Rising
Empowering girls in grades 6–12 to strengthen identity, wellness, and leadership.
Bonita Rising is Despierta’s flagship youth mental wellness program designed to support Latina girls while welcoming youth from diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Through bilingual, trauma informed programming, participants build confidence, strengthen coping skills, develop healthy relationships, and discover their unique voice and leadership potential.
What Does Bonita Rising Offer?
Emotional wellness & mental health awareness
Online safety & digital wellness
Healthy relationships & boundary setting
Self-esteem & personal empowerment
Cultural identity & pride
Leadership and personal advocay
Communication & problem-solving skills
Bonita Voices
Despierta’s Youth Leadership Committee
Bonita Voices is a youth-driven initiative that creates opportunities for young people to share their perspectives, connect with their community, and inspire positive change. Through advocacy, storytelling, leadership experiences, and community engagement, youth voices help inform programs, conversations, and solutions that impact their generation.
Impact Metrics
Bonita Rising is currently active in 8 Charlotte Mecklenburg schools and has served over 160 students in 2024 alone. The demand for the program is growing rapidly—with 16+ schools on the waitlist.
100%
Report increased
self-confidence
96%
Improved communication with teachers
91%
Better understanding of mental health
87%
Feel more comfortable in school
83%
Feel a stronger sense of self-worth
Current School Partners
Thomasboro Academy
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Ranson Middle School
Charlotte East Language Academy
Harding University High School
South Mecklenburg High School
Garinger High School
Myers Park High School
“Bonita Rising helped me love who I am and feel proud to be Latina. Now, I walk into school like I belong.”
— Bonita Rising Participant
Interested in Bringing Bonita Rising to Your School?
If Bonita Rising is not currently offered at your school and you are interested in bringing the program to your students, we encourage school administrators, counselors, social workers, and community partners to complete our Partnership Interest Form. We would love to explore opportunities to bring Bonita Rising to additional schools and communities.
English 
Spanish