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As a recipient of one of the 2008 Grassroots Initiative Mini-Grants, Terra will receive $10,000 to increase outreach efforts to reach Latino youth and increase their participation in higher education. The program involves grassroots efforts and collaboration among communities to attract, retain and graduate Hispanic Ohioans in the communities served by Terra.
“We have worked hard to ensure the selected programs align as closely as possible to Governor Stickland’s priorities in the areas of education, workforce and economic development, community participation and integration of all Ohioans into the fabric of our state,” said Ezra Escudero, Executive Director of Latino Affairs.
“These programs will open the door for greater cooperation and partnership between grassroots organizations, communities, educational institutions and community stakeholders.”
The selection process for the awards was accomplished in cooperation with community foundations in different regions. Expert evaluators reviewed close to 30 grant proposals.
Mary Mc Cue, Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Enrollment Services, helped write the grant. She and her committee were pleased with the news.
“My greatest concern with our Latino student population has been the retention rates. We have seen a decrease in the number of these students who continue on to the completion of a degree,” Mc Cue said. “This grant will give us the resources to aid our Latino students in completing their college coursework on Terra’s campus.”
The others receiving the grants were: Central State University, East End Community Center in Dayton, Youngstown State University, Casa Amiga at Tecumseh YMCA in New Carlisle, Servicio a la Familia in Cincinnati, Hispanic Business Association in Cleveland and The Salvation Army’s Hispanic Soccer League in Cincinnati.
The Ohio Latino Affairs Commission is a state government agency with a statutory mandate to advise policy makers and elected officials on issues affecting Hispanic Ohioans, to connect the diverse Latino communities across the state, and to build the capacity of community organizations so they may better serve the fast-growing Latino population of Ohio.
Photo Caption – Representatives from the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission traveled to Terra Aug. 11 to present the grant. From left, Dr. Jerry Webster, Vice President of Student and Administrative Affairs at Terra; Mary Mc Cue, Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Enrollment Services at Terra; Bonnie Weaver, Outreach Specialist for Underserved Populations at Terra; Dr. Marsha Bordner, President of Terra; Ezra Escudero, Executive Director of Latino Affairs; Lilleana Calderon-Cavanaugh, Community Liaison; and Florentina Staigers, Policy Liaison Officer.
OLA announces grassroots initiative recipients
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