March 13, 2017 | Stories
Scholarship to Empower Economic Well-Being of Latino Community
"It's a great honor and privilege when community leaders support the leaders of tomorrow." — Kathy Flores, Chair of the LGC
The Latino Generations Committee (LGC) has established the Latino Generations Scholarship Fund with the Community Foundation to insure that scholarships to local Latino students will be sustained over time, empowering the economic well-being of our Latino community for future generations. With matching funds from the Community Foundation for San Benito County, each member of the LGC has made a commitment to raise $1,000 in the next month, leveraging the matching funds from the Community Foundation to raise a total of $40,000.
The Latino Generations Scholarship Program essentially began in 2016 with a single gift from Fr. Larry Betrozoff, $10,000 which was awarded to eight Latinas who graduated from San Benito High School. Now, by establishing the Latino Generations Scholarship Fund, the LGE will be able to continue with this program, awarding grants to Latino students who possess an economic need. Statistics from the 2010 census indicate that Latinos in San Benito County have a poverty rate twice as high as that of non-Latinos. In addition, only 10% of Latinos over the age of 25 have attained a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Yumira Perez, a scholarship recipient last year, wrote in a thank you letter, “I’m attending Sacramento State University, and my first semester was hard at the beginning because I’m the first one to attend a university in my family and everything is different when you’re away from home. I’m thankful for this scholarship because it gave me an opportunity to continue with my education and to keep growing as a person.”
Scholarships will be available to high school seniors or college transfer students attending either a two-year or four-year university or a certified vocational training institution. Scholarships will help students cover the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and other essentials. In a thank you letter to the LGC, Adrianna Gutierrez wrote, “A scholarship has been a blessing for making continued education at a university more affordable. As a chemistry major, there are lab fees for labs required every quarter, as well as computer program installations that are pricey.”
A scholarship will also enhance the college experience by further developing students' leadership and networking abilities through the support of programs and services, such as mentoring, leadership training, networking, career development, and more.
To make your donation to the Latino Generations Scholarship Fund by credit card, call the Foundation office at 831.630.1924 or donate directly through the link provided above. Donations may also be made by check (payable to the Community Foundation for San Benito County) and mailed to 829 San Benito Street, Suite 200, Hollister, CA 95023. Please include “Latino Generations Scholarship” in the memo field.
Students who wish to apply for a scholarship may download applications here.