For Chicano students at the University of Oregon MEChA is more than a community, it’s a way to give back.

MEChA, a student union on campus, focuses on issues that face the Chicano community and finds ways to overcome those hurdles.  The Ganas program, a bi-lingual and bi-cultural mentorship program between MEChA members and local middle school students is one way University of Oregon students can focus on community improvement — by helping younger students succeed in education. Every Monday and Wednesday, Mechistas head over to Kelly Middle School for a few hours of academic and cultural engagement with some of Eugene’s hispanic youth.

One of those ways to give back to the community is the Ganas program. Ganas originally began in the ’90s and emphasizes the importance of bi-cultural and bi-lingual leadership programs for Latino students. Every Monday and Wednesday, MEChA members tutor students at Kelly Middle School.

“Ganas is a place where students can embrace their entire identity as bi-cultural students, and solidify an understanding of who they are in the midst of a culture that pressures students to fit a norm,” Kelly Middle School teacher Colleen Young said. “Its goal is to strengthen students, prepare them for leadership, encourage them in their academics and life and prepare them to go to high school and college.”

Co-founded by middle school teacher Roscoe Caron, Ganas started originally in Kennedy Middle School where Caron taught. Along with Caron, MEChA mentor Jim Garcia helped with the program as well.  When Caron began teaching at Kelly Middle School he brought Ganas with him.

Ganas sessions consist of an hour of homework time, then snack followed by a cultural and bonding activity. Once a term MEChA will bring the middle school students to campus and let them see what college is like.

Internal director of MEChA and senior Ricky Salinas describes his experience as an outlet for his stresses and a way to serve others as both a tutor and a mentor. His involvement with Ganas has taught him leadership skills and given him an opportunity to give back to students who are sometimes overlooked.

“I think the reason why so many members from MEChA want to participate and volunteer is because a lot of the members see themselves in the students,” Salinas said. “Many of the volunteers have been in that situation where they struggled in school and didn’t have a support program like Ganas and many wish that there would have been a program like Ganas when we were little.”

Newly appointed freshman Abel Cerros is one of three coordinators for Ganas. For Cerros, Ganas means the chance to help shape a young life.

“My favorite part of Ganas is the ‘ah moment’ when the kids begin to understand the material and you can tell because you can see it in their eyes,” Cerros said. “You’re making a difference in their lives and that’s the best part.”

Often, Ganas volunteers learn just as much as they teach.

“The Ganas students help the Mechistas see how important and powerful their mentoring is,” Young said.