LULAC Launches Expansion of Education Initiative at the 86th National Convention Salt Lake City, Utah

July 10, 2015

Salt Lake City, Utah – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) unveiled today a critical education initiative to help reduce the nation’s high school dropout crisis among Latinos. Through the partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund, eight model LULAC councils will be awarded grants to help them continue their efforts to encourage students to graduate high school. The councils selected to receive the grants have programs with proven results in their community.

The Latino population is Utah's largest minority group, comprising 15.5 percent of all Utah students. Over the past five years, Utah’s overall high school graduation rate has increased eight percent from 75 to 83 percent. Utah public schools are graduating more students, and more minority students.

“LULAC has always placed great emphasis on education and leadership development of our youth,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “Although we have seen a decrease in the nation’s dropout rate, we must continue our efforts to ensure all students graduate from high school. Today, we congratulate the grant recipients for helping Latino students graduate and thank the Ford Motor Company Fund for their continued help in this effort.”

Eight LULAC councils will each receive a $20,000 grant over two school years to implement a high school dropout prevention program in partnership with an educational entity. The eight grant recipients are: LULAC Council #313 Chicago, IL; (#1); LULAC Council #1, Corpus Christi, TX; :LULAC Council #756, Little Rock, AR; LULAC Council #319, Milwaukee, WI; LULAC Council #5285, Moline, IL; LULAC Council #2862, Sacramento, CA; LULAC Council #2060, Stockton, CA; and LULAC Council #47013, Vancouver, WA.

“Education will always be a priority for Ford and we continue to demonstrate our impact and through Ford Driving Dreams Through Education,” said Joe Avila, manager of community outreach, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “For six consecutive years, Ford is providing Latino students with access to tools and resources to help them succeed making a life-changing impact on our young people and ensuring that they have the education necessary to compete in our global economy.”

The councils will continue programs that promote on-time high school graduation using student engagement activities that include mentoring and academic support focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and arts).

About LULAC 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 Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services works with community partners to advance driving safety, education and American heritage and community life. The Ford Motor Company Fund has operated for more than 60 years with ongoing funding from Ford Motor Company. The award-winning Ford Driving Skills for Life program teaches new drivers through a variety of hands-on and interactive methods. Innovation in education is encouraged through national programs that enhance high school learning and provide college scholarships and university grants. Through the Ford Volunteer Corps, more than 25,000 Ford employees and retirees each year work on projects that better their communities in dozens of countries.