LULAC and The General Motors Foundation Upgrade the SER Metro-Detroit Center with State of the Art Technology
November 30, 2015
DETROIT– Today, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) with the support from the GM Foundation held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the SER Metro-Detroit Center in Michigan, Detroit. LULAC and the General Motors Foundation have upgraded the SER Metro-Detroit Center with state-of-the-art equipment and have further provided resources for STEM related programs. In addition, the technology center will provide Latino youths with information on careers in STEM and make available the resources necessary to pursue post-secondary education in STEM related careers.
The effort is part of LULAC’s initiative, Empower Hispanic America with Technology (EHAT), which focuses on closing the technology gap in underserved communities. The technology center equipment will include new desktop computers, high speed Internet, and office software.
“The grant from the General Motors Foundation helps provide the SER Metro-Detroit Center with the resources needed to help Latino students be successful in STEM related courses and have the opportunity to pursue careers in STEM related fields," said LULAC National Executive Director, Brent Wilkes. "We are proud of this partnership because it helps us close the digital divide that exists in Latino communities.
“At GM, we believe in supporting communities in which we live and work, and education is very important to our community,” says Vivian Pickard, Director, Public Policy. “By supporting the efforts to create this new center, we know we can make a lasting difference in the lives of Hispanic youth in Detroit.”
Detroit is the first city to launch a LULAC EHAT center. Additional cities where new technology centers will be established include Waukegan, Illinois; Arlington, Texas; Austin, Texas; and Phoenix, Arizona.
“The technology lab will help provide STEM-related programming, as well as professional development opportunities for Latino youth in Southwest Detroit. Access to these resources will create a positive change and empower youth in the digital age," said Eva Dewaelsche, President, SER Metro-Detroit Center.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
About the General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, the Environment and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
About SER Metro-Detroit
SER Metro Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc. (SER) is a community-based organization that believes in the potential of each and every individual. For the past 44 years, SER has assisted thousands of at risk and disadvantaged residents from across the City of Detroit and the region in becoming self-sufficient through quality employment, education and training programs. For more information, visit www.sermetro.org.