Aprenda sobre el programa de Scholars Latino Initiative a través de las experiencias de los estudiantes, los tutores y los líderes de la organización en este evento virtual.
Presentado por Karina Kline-Gabel de la junta Virginia Latino Advisory Board y Sal Romero de las escuelas públicas de Harrisonburg Public Schools. Patrocinado por Rocktown Realty.
In this highlights reel, discover the Scholars Latino Initiative through the experiences of SLI mentors Maya, Damaris, and Joseph and scholars Emily and Everth:
The event was hosted by Bryan Pearce-Gonzales, member of the SLI Board of Directors, professor of Hispanic Studies at Shenandoah University, and member of the WPS School Board.
#SLIGivingTuesday, which raised more than $11,000 to support SLI computer awards and dual enrollment tuition assistance, highlighted SLI scholars, mentors, and board members. Pledged matching funds doubled the impact of generous donors.
GivingTuesday matching funds generously provided by:
PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Young | The Breeze
Noche de Salsa 2020 (in pandemic-friendly form!) featured a drive-through takeout dinner from Salgado’s Pupuseria y Taqueria. As guests drove through the Steven Toyota service building to receive their food, they saw performing dancers from Salsaburg and the Friendly City Dance Room, received diplomas of gratitude, and were invited to make scholarship donations to support SLI’s mission to create college opportunities for Latino/x students.
Media coverage:
Scholars Latino Initiative to convert its fundraiser into a drive-through event
Scholars Latino Initiative dances around COVID-19 for fundraiser
Among the Noche de Salsa 2020 recognees were Michael Walsh, Dean of Admissions at James Madison University, and Gloria M. Figueroa-Vargas, Maestra de Español, M.A., Teacher of Spanish as a Foreign Language and Its Culture at Harrisonburg High School:
“When my father was 18 months old, he lost his father in a mine accident,” Walsh recalls. “When he finished high school in 1936, he was able to be the first in his family to attend college because the high school teachers, the college faculty, and community leaders worked together to give him the opportunity. I honor his memory by helping provide first-generation students the same opportunity my father was given.”
“Nonprofit organizations as SLI are essential in our schools to ensure support and empowerment for our Latinx students and their families,” Figueroa-Vargas said. “SLI focuses on supporting our students academically and being proud of their heritage.”
It’s not exactly a ballroom, but the service station at Steven Toyota will serve as the setting for Scholars Latino Initiative’s annual Noche de Salsa event that features dancing and food — just in drive-through style this year. By Sky Wilson for The Citizen. READ MORE
Educators shared why they support SLI, SLI scholars provided testimonials, and donors, eager to empower local Latino/x students who dream of going to college, responded during the 2020 Great Community Give.
More than 70 people and educators who pledged matching funds donated more than $11,000 (in most cases giving extra to cover platform and payment fees!).
THANK YOU!
Ongoing donations are gratefully welcomed at vasli.org/donate.
Educators pledging Great Community Give matching funds included:
*Member, SLI Board of Directors
Meet the Scholars Latino Initiative in Richmond in this June 2020 Zoom meeting hosted by Cecilia Barbosa, chair of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board:
Guests and Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) board of directors chair-elect Karina Kline-Gabel and member Chris von Rueden heard from:
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!
Choose a topic above and/or scroll at your leisure, or view the NEWS INDEX or SCHOLAR FEATURES INDEX
