2024-2025 Mariposa Highlight Report (new window) – PDF
2026 Mariposa Information Flier (new window) – PDF
Launched in 2010
Supported by: The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant. Tobacco Use Prevention Education funding.
ABOUT MARIPOSA
Launched in 2010, the Mariposa program is proudly offered by the Napa County Office of Education and supported by the Gang Violence Suppression Grant (Napa County District Attorney’s Office) and Tobacco Use Prevention Education funding.
For over a decade, this program has served approximately 150 middle and high school students each year across 10 campuses in Napa and American Canyon. While the majority of participants are Latinx, the programs also include students of color and those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
Mariposa provides a safe, supportive space where students can connect, grow, and lead. Through evidence-based curricula, strong mentoring relationships, and leadership opportunities, students gain tools to navigate topics like body image, healthy relationships, and substance use. The programs are designed to meet the social-emotional needs of local youth, helping them build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
At its core, Mariposa is about belonging, voice, and future readiness.
- Support students in developing a strong cultural identity.
- Provide inclusive, Spanish-speaking group spaces for high-need youth.
- Deliver TUPE education focused on how tobacco targets women and people of color.
- Use affirming language for non-binary and trans youth.
- Promote long-term student engagement from 6th–12th grade.
- Identify students through a three-phase process: returning students, staff referrals, and self-referral.
- Maintain strong recruitment through the program’s positive reputation.
- Mentorship and supportive adult relationships
- Youth voice and leadership opportunities
- Social-emotional growth and skill-building
- The Power Within: Navigating self-esteem, body image, and personal identity.
- Healthy Choices: Prevention education on substance use and peer violence.
- Relationship Skills: Developing healthy boundaries and communication tools.
- Peer Advocacy: Training student leaders to spearhead school-wide prevention campaigns.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
- Weekly 60min small-group sessions (10–20 students per site)
- Held during lunch, advisory, or after school
- Runs throughout the school year + summer engagement opportunities
- Led by trained facilitators in restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and social-emotional learning
- Operates within a coordinated youth development ecosystem, allowing participants to engage in multiple reinforcing services throughout the year.
WHY MARIPOSA MATTERS
FUTURE-READY LEADERS
- 88% | Future Focused: Reported the program helped them reflect on college and career goals.
- 87% | Student Leaders: Feel like leaders or role models as a result of the program.
- 90% | Healthier Connections: Learned how to form more positive relationships with others.
- 83% | Emotional Resilience: Improved their ability to deal with stress and tough situations.
MARIPOSA STUDENT QUOTES
Healthy Relationships & Boundaries
“My favorite part has been learning how to have healthy relationships with my friends and partners.”
“One thing I’ve learned that I’m proud of, is how to say no in difficult situations.”
“The most valuable lesson was working with others… building stronger relationships with people we might not have connected with otherwise.”
Emotional Regulation & Resilience
“I have learned how to properly identify and regulate emotions in a healthy way.”
“Whenever I feel out of touch with myself, I can identify what the issue is and properly resolve it.”
“I learned how to be a better leader and to focus on what’s important for my future and those of people around me.”
“I’ve learned how to reflect on myself and my goals more intentionally.”
“The program has helped me become more organized, confident, and aware of my goals.”
“The program has helped me learn skills like positive self-talk for myself and others.”
Community & Cultural Pride
“I met many new friends through the program and Folklórico and it’s been an amazing experience being able to talk to people who relate to me.”
“It’s reassuring that there are people who are passionate about making change at your age.”
LAYERED SUPPORT MODEL: DEEPENING IMPACT THROUGH COORDINATED SERVICES
Mariposa is increasing the depth and coordination of services each participant receives. Students now access varying combinations of services based on eligibility, need, and interest. Some engage in Mariposa + TUPE + Expanded Learning; others participate in TUPE + Ballet Folklórico or additional leadership programming.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Mariposa partners with Puertas Abiertas and Grupo Quetzalén to extend learning beyond campus and strengthen family connections.
- Ballet Folklórico participation increased from 28 to 44 students
- Students performed at several school and community events
- Expanded Learning referrals increased access beyond core participants.
It was a wonderful experience for my daughter. She learned to interact with others and present herself in public with confidence. The program gave her much more security and self-confidence. — Parent
My daughter developed skills and deepened her understanding of the Hispanic culture she belongs to. — Parent
Mariposa’s Ballet Folklorico
Ballet Folklórico was created during the pandemic in response to students expressing that their mental health was declining due to isolation and lack of social interaction. As a result, Folklórico was brought to life with the support and collaboration of Grupo Quetzalen. What started as a way to reconnect and heal has grown into a vibrant cultural dance program.
Today, 40+ students participate in Folklórico, benefiting not only from the joy of dance and cultural expression but also from the strong sense of community and belonging it fosters. Ballet Folklórico is offered free of charge as part of Mariposa and serves as a powerful tool for supporting students’ mental health, identity, and connection.
Mariposa also collaborates with Bridging Brother to ensure all students regardless of gender identity have a space to grow, belong, and thrive.
Everyone is welcome. You belong here.