The Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF) will hold a scholarship reception on August 12 to award 130 Latino students with scholarships to help them obtain a college education. The LAEF 2006 Gala, whose proceeds are used to award more than $200,000 in scholarships to high school students throughout Colorado, was sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. The reception will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver.
LAEF’s total annual scholarships are valued at more than $200,000. LAEF awards an average of $1,500 to each student, representing a single year commitment to the college of the student’s choice. Universities and colleges partner with the LAEF to match scholarships, so a $1,500 commitment from LAEF yields a $3,000 total gift to the student.
The LAEF’s top student receives a four-year commitment at $2,000 per year. This year’s top student, Karla Ramos of Adams City High School in Commerce City, was selected among 400 scholarship applicants from all over the state of Colorado. Having come to the U.S. from Mexico just three years ago, and speaking no English, Ramos was valedictorian of her high school. Ramos will attend the University of Colorado at Denver this fall.
“The Latino population represents a critical workforce, and we need to nourish them by educating them and forming a pool of talent that will have a lasting impact on Colorado’s economy,” said Jim Chavez, executive director of LAEF. “Latinos who lack the resources to get a college education come to LAEF for help. But I believe strongly that as a Colorado community, we all need to develop the capacities and capabilities of our young people – they are critical to the future of our country.”
As many as 130 students, along with their families, will attend the ceremony this weekend to receive their scholarship certificates. Also in attendance will be LAEF’s corporate representatives, including the Salazar Family Foundation, Coors Brewing Co., Garcia International, Beverage Distributors, First Data, Western Union, Telemundo, Ch2MHill, Adams Mark Hotel and United Airlines, as well as representatives from many of the state’s colleges and universities, including the Community College of Denver, University of Colorado and University of Denver.
As part of its mission to support the health of Colorado families, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado donated $25,000 to LAEF in support of LAEF’s 2006 Gala.
“We can’t thank the LAEF enough for the good work and positive impact it is having on Colorado’s Latino youth,” said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund. “These young scholarship recipients will not only make a clear contribution to the workforce, they also represent this country’s future voters – let us guide them toward sound decision making with a solid educational background.”
About the Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF)
LAEF has established itself as a leader in meeting the higher education needs of Latino students. For more than 57 years LAEF has awarded over 5,000 scholarships to Colorado Latino students. Our recipients’ successes are seen throughout the community. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, LAEF generates funds from corporations, foundations and individual contributors. Learn more at www.laef.org.
About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado was established in 1996 as a program to financially support nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life in Colorado and promote equality for all people. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $16 million to hundreds of nonprofits whose program areas include arts and culture, civic leadership, healthy families and public broadcasting. In addition to providing financial assistance, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado offers training programs, workshops, technical assistance and public meeting space to strengthen nonprofits’ ability to grow, flourish and succeed. The organization is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information please visit www.gayandlesbianfund.org.
About the Funds
Every year, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado receives a financial allocation from its parent organization, the Gill Foundation, that must be donated in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations that have an IRS 501(c)(3) status and adhere to a nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation. These monies, which typically amount to approximately 18 to 20 percent of the Gill Foundation’s earned investments, are not used for private or political purposes, in accordance with IRS regulations.