Breaking News: The Latino Student Fund Receives $25,000 from the Walmart Foundation to Help Reach Their Mission of Combatting High School Dropout Rates within the Latino Community

Donation to help support and expand critical educational programming throughout the District of Columbia

The Latino Student Fund today received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to assist with their mission of providing educational and developmental opportunities to the Latino community.  The grant – which was awarded through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will work to provide local Latino youth better access to educational opportunities.

“We are extremely grateful for the $25,000 grant.  We are honored that the Walmart Foundation supports our mission and the Tutoring Program. Our work with Latino students in the DC area would not be possible without supporters like Walmart.  Thanks to Walmart, we will be able to reach even more youth and increase our impact. On behalf of the many families that we serve, thank you,” says Latino Student Fund Executive Director Maria Fernanda Borja.

The grant was announced during an event held today at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) Community Garden.  Councilmember Marion Barry, Director of the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) David Berns, THEARC representatives and Walmart officials gathered for the announcement of the local grant recipients.

The Latino Student Fund was founded over a decade ago by community leaders, educators and parents who recognized the need to combat school dropout rates in the Latino community through better access to quality educational opportunities. The organization is committed to serving at-risk youth by providing supplemental educational support, tutoring and mentorship programs.

“The Walmart Foundation is pleased to be supporting The Latino Student Fund’s mission to impact Latino youth through educational programs,” said Henry Jordan, Walmart Senior Vice President of the Eastern Seaboard Division. “We are committed to being a good community partner and through this grant, we are hopeful that Latino youth in the District of Columbia will continue to have the support and encouragement of the Latino Student Fund.”

The contribution to the Latino Student Fund was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s D.C. State Giving Program. Through this program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.

Last year in D.C., Walmart, Sam’s Club locations and the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $3.4 million to local organizations committed to addressing the needs of the community.

To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application.  Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria.  Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.

About Latino Student Fund
Latino Student Fund (LSF) mission is to provide opportunities for a strong academic foundation for PreK-12th grade students of Hispanic descent to promote higher education and professional leadership.  The LSF Tutoring Program, established in 1998, provides free academic support through individualized tutoring for at-risk and underprivileged Latino students from the Washington, DC metropolitan area in all areas of academic learning. The LSF also provides informational outreach services to students and their families about educational opportunities. To learn more, visit www.latinostudentfund.org. 

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

2012 Showcase of Scholars a Great Success!

The Latino Student Fund (LSF) annual Showcase of Scholars was held last night, Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the American University Katzen Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  The Showcase, held at the end of each academic year, honored the LSF Scholars Program students. The venue was ideal; fittingly, the walls were adorned with PreK-12 student artwork, and the room was decorated beautifully in the LSF colors of black, red and green. During the reception, guests chatted while eating empanadas and other Latin delicacies to their hearts content. Famous radio personalities Alejandro Negron and the beautiful Belen Barriga emceed the event.

Scholars and attendees were able to network with some of Washington’s most influential Hispanic leaders and community supporters: Marta Estarellas (Inter-American Development Bank), Angela Franco (Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), Carl Hairston (M&T Bank), Roxana Olivas (Office on Latino Affairs), Darlene Slaughter (Fannie Mae), Carlos Vasquez (New York Life), and others. The event gave special recognition to LSF’s corporate sponsors: The Bancroft Foundation, Children’s Charities Foundation, FedEx, Freddie Mac Foundation, Mattress Warehouse and Procter & Gamble, and others. These partnerships have been instrumental in providing invaluable support for the LSF Scholars. Joe Martin was presented with the Community Award for his contributions to the LSF as the SAT Preparatory Course instructor since 2010.  

The ceremony left the audience feeling inspired and victorious.  Keynote speaker Mario Acosta-Velez, Director of Mid-Atlantic Region State Government Affairs at Verizon, gave the students practical advice for their future. His recalled past insecurities about being Latino in the US professional world, and overcoming them. He concluded that our background need not limit their opportunities or success, and in fact, we should be proud of our heritage.

Of course, the real stars of the show were the LSF Scholars, who were adorable and impressive. Each student was given a certificate of completion, and select high school students were also presented with special awards, for which they were nominated by their respective schools. Antonio Borckardt, a junior at Bullis School, was given the Academic Achievement Award; Joel Munoz, a senior at Archbishop Carroll School, was given the community service award; Juliet Arcila Rojas, a junior at Randolph Macon Academy, was given the Leadership Award. Graduating seniors Aaron Wong (St. Alban’s School), Ananda Gonzalez and her sister India (Edmund Burke School) were presented with the inaugural Distinguished Scholar award for epitomizing the ideals of the program. As Rosalia Miller, LSF Co-Founder and Board Chair, correctly noted in her closing remarks, “this is all for the kids.” Her passion was infectious, and it is safe to say that most people in the room were overwhelmed with hope for Hispanic/Latino youth.  

Click here to learn more about the Scholar's Program!

Con"grad"ulations, Class of 2012!

I must reference the exhausted cliche that graduating from high school is usually a "bittersweet" time. High school graduates must say goodbye to the past and sources of comfort that they will surely miss. The challenges ahead may at times seem daunting, but ultimately I believe that this critical milestone is far "sweeter" than it is "bitter." With college comes freedom and discovery; new ideas, new challenges, new victories. The transition is exciting; college guides you into adulthood, and more importantly, a step closer to your destiny. On that note, we would like to warmly congratulate our six LSF Senior Scholars. Each senior provided a quote that encapsulates their time in the LSF Scholars Program, and we will let their words speak for themselves. We are so proud of them and wish them "salud y suerte" with all of their endeavors! 

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Cynthia Alfaro

Academy of the Holy Cross, Class of 2012

Catholic University of America, Class of 2016

“Working with the Latino Student Fund these past years has been wonderful.  I am very thankful what LSF has provided and given me.  They have given me an opportunity to achieve my goals and strive for more.”  

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Ananda Gonzalez

Edmund Burke School, Class of 2012

Columbia University, Class of 2016

“The Latino Student Fund has greatly aided me in my academic career by allowing me to attend some of the best schools in DC, and encouraging me to always achieve academic excellence.” It has been a pleasure to meet and be surrounded by other Latinos in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area who are as driven as I am. The Latino Student Fund has taught me to dream without boundaries, because it is the dreamers of today who become the leaders of tomorrow.” 

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India Gonzalez

Edmund Burke School, Class of 2012

Columbia University, Class of 2016

“Latino Student Fund has provided me with the money needed to attend a school where I am challenged every day, and get individual attention from my teachers. Because of Latino Student Fund, I have been given the opportunity to achieve nothing less than excellence; I am encouraged to dream big, and persevere against all odds.”

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Joel Muñoz

Archbishop Carroll School, Class of 2012

Long Island University, Class of 2016

“Without my mother’s care and nourishment, I would be a tumbleweed in the field. Thankfully Latino Student Fund has been able to provide financial help and mentorship, which has been completely life changing.”  

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Alexis Rudolph

Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Class of 2012

Goucher College, Class of 2016

“My experience with LSF over the past five years has been fantastic. I'm grateful for all the opportunities that have been provided to me and I can only hope to one day make a difference in people's lives the way LSF has made a difference in mine.”

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Aaron Wong

St. Alban's School, Class of 2012

Stanford University, Class of 2016

“The Latino Student Fund has enabled me to embark on an intellectual journey of academics and life wisdom…Without the LSF, I would not be where I am today.”

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Please check out the senior video!