A Visit To Remember
The growth, development, and strength of UnidosNow is in no small part owed to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC). Since 2016, we have worked with this organization to develop and strengthen our two-generation programs, which have become intergenerational since our families’ involvement goes beyond the children and their parents.
Both our organizations believe in reaching across generations and helping people reach their full potential. Before the end of 2022, we had the honor of showing the power of this collaboration to a small group that we hosted at our offices, where they met UnidosNow alumni, scholars, and families.
As an event that happens on the third Thursday of the month from fall to summer, the Community Foundation wanted to make October—when Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated—the month when their donors were invited to learn more about Latinos and the work of our organization. Laurie Scott, Philanthropic Advisor at the foundation, said: “The presentations really moved me and brought me back to a vulnerable time in my life during high school when I needed mentoring and confidence building.”
She shared with us that she could perfectly relate to our students, since she had also had that person who believed in her and pushed her to achieve more than what she was reaching towards. The Community Foundation’s motto, “Be The One,” could not have been expressed and seen more clearly than during this program.
Promotional material for our 2018 “Be The One” campaign. Our Parent Leadership program—previously known as “Families Together”—has guided many families to better integrate in the United States. Thank you, CFSC, for your role on this impactful work.
The group was touched by Future Leaders Academy Alumni Oscar Portillo and Lucero Guzman. Oscar described the support he’s received from the UnidosNow family, and Lucero spoke about giving back to UnidosNow, leading now the organization’s FLAG and FLAM programs.
Family Engagement Director Lisbeth Oscuvilca spoke about our Parent Leadership program, and Associate Executive Director Cintia Elenstar talked about the Future Leaders Academy, LEADNow, College Completion, and our community workshops.
Our Mother Ambassador Leticia joined us via video conference from her work and shared with the attendees all the help we offered her family during the pandemic.
A guest of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County who joined this gathering expressed how much she appreciated the visit: “I found it so hard to put into words how I felt after I learned about the work of UnidosNow. I’ve told so many people about them!“ She continued:
“What an exciting experience it was to learn about UnidosNow and all that they do for first generation, low income LatinX students. They offer so many incredible leadership and college prep programs.”
“What impressed me the most was how UnidosNow uses a multigenerational approach involving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, to all be part of the process. The Alumni who spoke to us told how they went from not knowing the college application process, to accomplishing college graduation. They were so passionate about their college experiences and where they are today because of UnidosNow. This is truly an incredible organization.”
“The Community Foundation has been a long-time partner of UnidosNow,” said Laurie. “Their mission of eliminating the barriers to a quality education and economic mobility, building social capital, and improving health and wellbeing for the entire family is something everyone can get behind.”
Through all these years, our work in collaboration with the Community Foundation has grown stronger and stronger, becoming more and more interconnected: “We were thrilled to host the Community Foundation's friends in our offices, to show them in person the impact this organization has in on our families,” remarked Luz Corcuera, our former Executive Director. “CFSC has been key for the development of some of our core programs, like the Future Leaders Academy for Girls and Parent Leadership, and their support has been invaluable.”
Within the foundation we can count the many friends of UnidosNow, but we want to especially recognize Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, who has believed in our vision and mission for years.
Funding from the Community Foundation has created multigenerational opportunities by supporting our Parent Leadership program, providing for needs for virtual learning during the COVID pandemic, and mobilizing civic engagement through voter registration efforts.
We look forward to many more years of partnership and collaboration with CFSC to continue empowering our students and families.