La Unidad Latina and Hispanic College Fund Form Partnership

Saturday, February 23, 2008

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La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Inc. would like to officially announce the establishment of a strategic partnership with the Hispanic College Fund (HCF). The partnership is based on our Common Goals regarding service to the Hispanic community and the advancement of all Latinos through the pursuit of higher education and professional development. The relationship will function to enhance the capacity of both organizations to achieve these Common Goals through collaboration on partnership programs, and by sharing resources and volunteers.

La Unidad Latina first established a relationship with the Hispanic College Fund in 2006 by becoming involved with the Hispanic Youth Symposium as part of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Community Service. Since then Hermanos have volunteered in several Hispanic Youth Symposia. On February 23, 2008 La Unidad Latina and the Hispanic College Fund solidified the partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding and officially announced the partnership at this year’s 26th Anniversary Gala.

LUL and HCF will partner on several community service programs that present excellent opportunities for the Hermanos of LUL to become directly involved in furthering the educational opportunities available to Hispanic students in our communities and across the nation.

Common Goals of LUL and HCF

Increasing number of Latino youth pursuing higher education through improved access and awareness to relevant information, resources, and support;

Performing high quality community service programs;

Providing our members with a powerful network of successful Latino students, graduates, and professionals;

Expanding youth leadership and professional development opportunities for Latinos; and

Increasing diversity in higher education and professional arenas.

Community Service Partnership Programs
Hispanic Youth Symposia: The Hispanic Youth Symposia programs help financially disadvantaged Latino youth navigate the education-to-career pathway by providing scholarships and resources. Initiated in 2004 the symposia bring high school students together in a four-day residential leadership program that takes place on a local college campus. Students are exposed to college counseling, mentorship, career advice, access to professional role models, and development of leadership skills. This summer HCF will be conducting four Symposiums in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and is looking to expand to other locations nationwide close to LUL Chapters in the near future. Since its inception the symposia have seen an amazing success rate with 90% of attendees going on to pursue higher education. For more information please visit: www.hispanicyouth.org

Scholarship Selection Committee: Each year HCF gives out close to $2 million in scholarships to over 600 Latino college students nationwide. Scholarship applications received by HCF are assessed online with the help of a Scholarship Selection Committee, which is composed of 200 Hispanic professionals from a variety of fields. Scholarship reviewers are responsible for scoring at least 30 applications and have the flexibility and convenience of online access to the review process in order to meet the demands of their personal and professional schedules. Reviewers narrow the field of applicants from which HCF makes the final award decisions by evaluating the reviewed scores, student needs, and specific criteria in regard to each scholarship program. For more information please visit: www.hispanicfund.org/scholarships

How to get Involved?
We strongly encourage all Hermanos and Chapters to seek out these opportunities by contacting the Regional Board Officers in your area or the National Council Director of Community Service at communityservice@launidadlatina.org. The National Leadership would like to thank all the Hermanos that have been and continue to become involved in developing this prestigious partnership with the Hispanic College Fund.