JMU nursing student and Scholars Latino Initiative mentor Jessica Discua-Aguilar said in a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month that as a first-generation citizen and college student, she at times “felt lost, incapable” even though she “just knew” she had to “make it in America,” she wrote. “I understand what it’s like to not have a mentor or have the resources needed to be successful.” READ MORE
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SLI Announces Advisory Council
A warm welcome to the members of the brand new SLI Advisory Council! This body, facilitated by SLI Board of Directors chair-elect Karina Kline-Gabel and member Larry Miller and Director of Development Christopher Clymer Kurtz, will advance the expansion of SLI’s network of supporters and advocates to promote SLI’s long-term fiscal sustainability and growth, for the benefit of SLI scholars.
Inaugural council members are:
- Kenia Brooks, Farm Placement Specialist, Virginia Employment Commission, Winchester
- Amelia Castañeda (not pictured), Welcome Center and Family Advocacy Coordinator, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond
- Isabel Castillo, Lead Organizer, Virginia Organizing, Harrisonburg
- Diana Patterson, Owner, DSP Services, LLC, Winchester
- Sal Romero, Jr., Director of Equity and Community Engagement, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Harrisonburg
- Lyons Sanchezconcha, Virginia Latino Advisory Board; Educator, Richmond Public Schools; and College and Career Bound Program Facilitator, Sacred Heart Center, Richmond
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“Faith in the motivation, strength, and resiliency of SLI scholars”: SLI adapts for COVID-19
Just as public school systems and universities are continuing to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) is adapting its programming to continue creating college opportunities and providing support for its scholars.
SLI program coordinators and collaborating volunteers and educators in Harrisonburg, Richmond, and Winchester are helping to identify its scholars’ immediate educational needs such as access to necessary technology, and are developing modified SLI activities such as online seminars and virtual mentorship strategies to continue providing scholars with college readiness opportunities.
They are also listening even more closely than usual to what students are saying about their own and their families’ health and well being, according to Carlos Alemán, SLI program director and James Madison University professor.
“Most of our students and their family members have been working continuously in essential service roles since the pandemic began, and are at an even higher risk of a toll taken on their minds and bodies than the typical student,” he said. “It’s a source of hope that the broader community has faith in the motivation, strength, and resiliency that characterize all of our SLI scholars.”
SLI supporters are central to making possible SLI’s ongoing mission and support for scholars, said Jason Good, SLI board chair and Eastern Mennonite University vice-president for innovation and student recruitment.
“Donor support of our scholars during these times is more important than ever. I am grateful that our generous donors are continuing to show their trust in SLI as a good steward of their giving and as an avenue for personal impact,” he said.
Contributions to support SLI scholarships, computer awards, and dual enrollment tuition assistance are accepted at vasli.org/donate or by check mailed to PO Box 1245, Harrisonburg, VA 22803.
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A Reflection of Gratitude: Julia
Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) alumna Julia ’19 is studying Arts in Media & Communications.
Scholars Latino Initiative has changed my life tremendously and has provided me with help in many ways, giving me guidance and helping me financially and emotionally.
At the beginning of my freshman year of high school I was concerned that people would look at me differently because I was new at my school, but my main concern was my future, as I thought I was unable to go to college due to the lack of money and my language barrier.
But when I had the opportunity to join SLI, I saw doors open my way. I was able to meet more people like me who wanted to achieve their dreams. I was able to connect with important people who would academically guide me to choose the right path for my future.
That is something I did not get at home. Because my dad never had the opportunity to go to school and doesn’t know how to read, he was never able to help me fill out important documents for school. But he has been beyond supportive, and I would not be standing where I am right now if it was not for his sacrifice.
While I did not have academic guidance at home, I did have it through SLI, thanks to SLI mentors and [my program director] Peter who took their time to fill out documents I had never even heard of before, like the FAFSA.
Peter taught me how to write 10-page essays and I am grateful for that because if I had not received the help I got from SLI, I would not be where I am today. Thanks to SLI, I have been able to be more confident about my writing, reading, and pronunciation. I’m also able to attend college and achieve my dreams of becoming a communicator and helping my family. SLI has opened doors to places where I never thought I would be.
Thanks to SLI, I began my university education in the fall of 2019. As a first-generation college student, the process to get into college was difficult to me at first, but thankfully my SLI mentor guided me throughout the application process and that opened more opportunities to me.
When I went to college I knew I wanted to study Arts in Media & Communications. This year I took general ed classes as well as Media & Communication classes such as Understanding Media and Communications, Multimedia Journalism, Writing Women, and Role Play and Simulation. I am also taking a summer class (Business & Professional Communication) to keep moving forward with my studies.
At the moment I have earned 31 college credits. My plan is to keep going and graduate, to achieve my dreams.
My priorities are school and to help my mom bi-weekly. I work a full-time job from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday. I try to provide my family in El Salvador with the things they need, as my mother and brother currently have an unstable well-being and I am the only person that can really help them. But as I do that, my priority is also school and being able to keep it going to have a successful future.
I also have Spanish conversations for the students at my college who are currently learning the language. I do that as a work study position during the school year and over the summer, but my main purpose of being part of the Spanish conversations is to help students learn the language.
I am proud that one of my professors has recommended me to the Honors Program, and I am currently in the process of becoming part of it.
This past year I also had the honor of being elected as the student SLI coordinator for my university and being a guide to local high school students who are currently enrolled with SLI. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity that has been given to me. This is something I can do to give back to the program that opened doors for my future.
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Meet SLI in Richmond (2020)
Guests at this virtual event learned about the Scholars Latino Initiative in Richmond. Hosted by Cecilia Barbosa, chair of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board, the event featured the SLI founder as well as SLI alumni.
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Generous donors meet Giving Tuesday Now goal
Thanks to many generous people in the SLI community, donations of more than $5,000 plus $5,000 in matching funds surpassed the Giving Tuesday Now goal of $10,000, which will support two SLI scholarship awards!
This campaign has ended, but gifts of support for SLI scholarships are welcome anytime at vasli.org/donate.
Thank you!
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You have been on our minds: A letter from the SLI Board of Directors
Estimados Participantes de SLI, Alumnos y Donantes,
Mientras que nos encontramos en esta época de pandemia, la junta directiva de SLI ha estado pensando mucho en todos ustedes. Esperamos que sus familias estén bien de salud y les deseamos lo mejor durante esta crisis.
Queremos saber cómo están y qué necesitan durante esta época difícil. También les animamos a ser líderes en sus comunidades y compartir la información sobre la pandemia con sus familias y su comunidad. Dado que ésta es una situación que evoluciona rápidamente, la información se irá actualizando a medida que se encuentre disponible. Para ver la información más reciente de nuestro estado y de la Organizacíon Mundial de Salud, visiten los sitios https://vlab.virginia.gov y https://www.who.int/ para leer sobre las recomendaciones de controlar la propagación del virus COVID-19 y dónde se pueden encontrar programas estatales y federales con recursos de préstamos o beneficios de desempleo.
Las metas de SLI son aún más urgentes durante esta crisis y la interrupción por COVID-19 ha creado situaciones graves para muchas de nuestras familias. Queremos comunicarles que aunque los esfuerzos de recaudar fondos se han tenido que suspender esta primavera, las donaciones generosas de nuestros donantes de SLI sostendrán todos los compromisos financieros a nuestros participantes de SLI.
Recuerden que aquí estamos para apoyarlos en cualquier manera que podamos.
Sinceramente,
La Junta Directiva de Scholars Latino InitiativeDear SLI scholars, alumni, and supporters,
As we each face challenges in this time of pandemic, you especially have been on our minds. We hope for good health for you and your families, and for renewed energy for pursuing your goals.
We invite you to be in touch with us, to let us know how you are doing and what needs you are facing. We encourage you to be leaders in your community during this time. Please share resources with your friends and family to stay updated on the most recent recommendations to collaboratively help stop the spread of COVID-19 and seek economic relief from federal and state programs. For information in English and in Spanish, please visit Governor Northam’s Latino Advisory Board website and the World Health Organization website.
SLI’s mission is even more critical in light of the COVID-19 disruptions to the educational pursuits of SLI scholars. Although spring fundraising events have been postponed, we are grateful for SLI’s many supporters whose generous financial contributions will sustain SLI’s commitments to our scholars.
Sincerely,
The Scholars Latino Initiative Board of Directors
Jason Good, chair, and Karina Kline-Gabel, chair elect
[email protected] -
SLI is a community of support for “truly exceptional” scholars
For the tenacious SLI scholars preparing to be the first in their families to attend college, the coronavirus pandemic is merely another source of deeply felt anxiety and uncertainty.
Carlos Alemán, SLI program director and JMU professor “The social uncertainty and isolation of our coronavirus moment is not too far off the everyday reality of many SLI students and their families,” said SLI program director and JMU professor Carlos Alemán. “The first-generation students we’re working with are truly exceptional in their abilities to move toward college given everything else that’s happening in their lives.”
When you donate to SLI, you are providing encouragement, strength, and a way forward for SLI scholars.
“SLI has always been a community of people that care for me and encourage me to reach out when I need help,” said SLI alum and supporter Sarah ’16, who is studying economics and political science at Tidewater Community College.
Thank you for being part of the community that surrounds SLI’s highly motivated and determined scholars even – especially – in this difficult time.
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Congratulations to SLI alum Maria!
Congratulations to SLI alum Nataly ’17, who has been accepted into a college nursing program!
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A SLI scholar and once ‘really clumsy kid’ makes sure that ‘everything improves for the next time’: Daniel
Even though soccer had always been a big part of his life, the suspense was nerve wracking. Daniel ’21 had never before tried out for a school athletic team, and that February night, along with 60 or 70 hopeful peers, he watched as his high school’s coaches filled their rosters.
One by one, players – including some of his closest friends – were called into the office and named to either the varsity or junior varsity team.
“I started getting nervous,” he said. “I was like, ‘Wow, the spots are filling up.’”
And then, finally, Daniel was called. The coach said he’d liked what he’d seen in Daniel: a work ethic and willingness to put his body into defensive play.
“He loved how I was one of the people who actually love defending,” Daniel recalled. “He told me, ‘Congratulations, you made the team.’”
The varsity team, at that.
“I walked out of the office with a big smile on my face,” he said. “All my friends we came and we cheered together. It was really nice.”
But maybe not surprising, considering Daniel’s general approach to life.
*The COVID-19 pandemic subsequently disrupted Daniel’s soccer plans. In May 2021 he sent this update: “I am finally able to play soccer with my friends once again, which has been amazing.”
PAIN – AND PLANS
A junior, Daniel is a scholar in the Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI), a nonprofit that creates college opportunities for first-generation Latino/x high school students. He’s a member of the Key Club and the culture club Latinos Unidos, and president of the Spanish Honor Society.
His academic load is anything but lightweight: Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History, AP English, an online college class, AP Calculus, and AP Chemistry. During another class period, he offers math peer tutoring.
Already certified in phlebotomy through a high school class last year – but still too young to work in the field – Daniel’s goal is to be a nurse anesthetist.
It’s an ambition that he came by honestly: “I was a really clumsy kid, so I would get hurt a lot,” he said. When he’d need stitching or other treatment, “I would always feel the pain.”
He plans first to become a registered nurse at community college, then earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing, and then pursue a master’s degree to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
“What’s notable about Daniel,” said his SLI program director, “is his genuine, deep caring for people. He is a devoted student who is learning the long-term benefits of perseverance and consistent, continued work. Daniel applies himself to excel in academics, yet keeps life in perspective with all that is around him.”
PATH TO SLI
Daniel was born in Arlington, Virginia; his family moved when he was two years old. His parents, from El Salvador, didn’t attend college – but always wanted a “better future” for their children.
“They made sure that I kept it in the back of my head,” he said. “They really want what’s best for me.”
His older sister, a SLI alum, finished high school with a year’s worth of college credits and is now on track to earn a bachelor’s degree in business.
“I saw the benefits that SLI was giving her,” Daniel said, “like preparing her to gain leadership skills as well as how to get a feel for college and how to prepare for it.” In ninth grade he was recommended to the program by a teacher and applied, then was interviewed and accepted.
“I wanted to gain those skills that SLI had to offer,” he said. “I’m grateful to SLI for giving me such a great opportunity.”
Daniel has participated in SLI book seminars on analytic thinking skills, and the program matched him with a university student mentor who has given him “really helpful” time management tips for academic success.
SLI also pushed him out of his comfort zone to start new friendships, he said, and to collaborate with others and join in team-building service projects such as a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event packaging food for community members.
“I don’t see myself as the same person I was two and a half years ago,” he said. “I see myself as someone who’s more outgoing. My work ethic has increased, and my determination to do something. There’s times where maybe the results aren’t what I want, but I’m always pushing through to make sure that everything improves for the next time.”
FAITH ROOTS
Daniel and his family are devout Seventh Day Adventists, and his guiding principle is “Ama a tu prójimo como a ti mismo,” he said: “Love others just as you love yourself.”
“It’s how I have respect for myself and try to motivate myself,” he said. “Just as my parents have taught that mindset to me, I want to teach that mindset to my friends.”
His faith commitments, he said, have translated into his other commitments, as well: to his studies, his community league soccer teammates, his sense of purpose even when things get tough.
“My parents have always taught me to never give up,” he said. “Every time I’m on a car ride with my dad, he always gives me tips or advice, to always make sure to do well in school. If you ever fall down, make sure to always pick yourself back up and always keep pushing forward, because all that hard work will eventually pay off in the end.”
