Forty-two donors and an anonymous matching funds gift raised $13,839 for SLI during the Great Community Give, surpassing SLI’s initial goal of $10,000.
“These meaningful and generous gestures of tangible support truly make a difference,” said Christopher Clymer Kurtz, SLI director of development. “By providing matching funds or including SLI in their Great Community Give plans, many people have shown their confidence in the young people who are SLI scholars.”
In Facebook and Instagram reels, members of the SLI board of directors shared their reasons for serving the organization.
“As a first-generation American, a first-generation college graduate, and a proud Latina, I know what it’s like to need support on the journey to higher education,” said Steph Beck in her video. “If I can contribute in some small way to the success of these incredible SLI scholars, then I’m happy to answer that call.”
Since 2012, SLI has served 201 scholars (71 current and 130 alumni) and awarded more than $700,000 in financial support for students through college scholarships, technology grants, and dual enrollment and Advanced Placement tuition assistance. More than $300,000 of that total were awarded in the last two years – and in 2025 alone, SLI anticipates making more than a quarter million dollars in new awards to alumni and its larger-than-ever graduating cohort.
SLI’s mission – to support Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships – has been sustained through the generosity of the SLI Community of Support, which includes many individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. Together, they have helped SLI alumni attend 25 colleges and universities.
Many SLI scholars have shared about the impact of their SLI experiences:
“Thanks to SLI I have grown over the past three years. I have learned how to speak up for myself, that challenges are just ways to learn, and how to grow and become a better person. SLI taught me how to face the reality of becoming a first generation immigrant college student and how to succeed in such a journey. I have been able to work with different people who allowed me to have new experiences, ideas, and perspectives which helped me find the path I wanted to follow.”
“I have grown academically and personally during my years as a SLI scholar. Academically, I have strengthened my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, achieving excellence in rigorous coursework. Personally, I have embraced leadership opportunities, and fostered a strong sense of community and cultural pride. The mentorship and support from SLI have empowered me to pursue higher education with confidence and a deep commitment to giving back to my community.”
“When I joined SLI I was still unsure about my future after high school because no one close to me had gone to college. The idea of going to college was terrifying because I knew I’d have a hard time with every step. Once I joined SLI, many worries faded. During our meetings, I would learn something new about what needed to be done before college. I learned the importance of community service, joining clubs, making connections with teachers, and focusing on academics.”
“SLI has prepared me for college not only financially but also academically. Through SLI, I was challenged to take more demanding courses and to participate in extracurricular activities, which I’m certain not only helped me get into the university I’m attending but also equipped me with the necessary academic skills for the rigorous courses I have to take as a nursing student. With the past SLI scholarship, I was able to buy all the school supplies I needed, including an iPad, dorm supplies, and personal necessities, throughout my first year.”
“As a first-generation student, I faced numerous barriers, such as the lack of parental support and guidance, which often limited my opportunities to expand my knowledge. However, SLI transformed my outlook and capabilities. SLI not only prepared me for college but also instilled a deep sense of dedication and determination to achieve my dreams. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, making me realize that without this challenge, I would have remained shy and uncertain of my abilities. Thanks to SLI, I am now confident and proactive, fully prepared to pursue my goals with unwavering resolve.”
“SLI equipped me for college by providing resources and support for the application process. I developed leadership skills, learned self-advocacy, and gained confidence to pursue my academic goals. SLI helped me build a strong network of mentors and peers, encouraging my success in college. As an immigrant, I participated in events like the storytelling workshop, where I learned how to craft my personal narrative and share my story with others. These experiences have helped me develop my communication skills and prepare me for the challenges of college life.”
“When you’re a high school senior who is starting to apply for college, and when you start coming across things that you have never had to deal with before, it is terrifying. You feel as if at any point you can sink and not end up preparing for that transition from high school to college. Through SLI, I was able to have access to many resources that allowed for that smooth transition. SLI taught me what to do, and how to do it, and having someone guide me through this process was a true blessing. Through SLI’s workshops, and their mentee-mentor program, that fear of preparation vanished, and I am forever grateful for that.”
“SLI allowed me to have a community in which others understand what it is like to be a first-generation student. They also provided me with the support and information necessary to move forward as a student with no previous ties to any college. They guided me through the process of understanding how to apply, breaking down the FAFSA application, and even allowed us to spend time in person at college campuses in order to understand what we were planning on doing and to make connections with potential professors.”
“SLI prepared me for college through its Early College lectures which helped me gain the necessary discussion skills for my discussion sections in college. The Early College experience also allowed me to observe college classes in high school and see how they compared to high school. Additionally, SLI’s volunteering opportunities … helped me gain the necessary team building skills to succeed in college projects and the necessary note taking skills to thrive in my classes.”
