Create college opportunities for Latino students

MISSION

Scholars Latino Initiative (SLI) may be a small nonprofit, but it changes the life trajectories of individuals and their families through improving access to college. Its mission – supporting Latino/a/x high school students with college access through rigorous academic challenge, leadership development, scholarships, and supportive mentorships – has impacted students, their families, and their communities. 

SLI’S IMPACT 

Since 2012 SLI has provided more than $542,000 in college scholarships, technology grants, and dual enrollment tuition and AP course assistance. An additional $192,000 is budgeted for awards this year, and the season has just begun for naming scholarship awards.

The 2024 SLI cohorts in Harrisonburg, Winchester, and Richmond include 17 graduates (see vasli.org/grads24). Students who apply and are selected to be SLI scholars participate in various growth activities, which can include new academic challenges and leadership responsibilities, evaluating careers and majors, applying for college admittance and seeking financial aid, and receiving social support and help for navigating the challenges that come with being a Latinx college-bound student. SLI scholars have also participated in college-level writing and analysis seminars taught by university faculty members, college-readiness programming, leadership and service partnerships with community organizations, and leadership and networking retreats held on university campuses. 

Its alumni have attended 24 colleges and universities.

A NEEDED EFFORT

SLI scholars experience unique circumstances as in many cases first-generation college students; as talented but often invisible individuals; as children from families that are disproportionately under-resourced and disenfranchised; and as members of a growing population in Virginia and the U.S. that is underrepresented on college campuses. 

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

SLI provides relationships and programming – and funding – to support Latinx students in Winchester (also in Harrisonburg and Richmond) who are pursuing college access. SLI is a community-based, not-for-profit organization built on partnerships with high schools, universities, communities, students, and parents, and dedicated to advancing Latinx students’ post-high school educational opportunities. SLI advocates for Latinx opportunities and strives for social justice and equity. Scholars are mentored to be leaders that positively contribute to their communities.

These values and experiences are priorities for members of the SLI board of directors: "I grew up worrying that my family or I could be deported any day, translating for my parents, and accepting the fact that I would become just another blue collar worker like my mother and father. I am now passionate about mentoring youth who may still be in that situation, to help them appreciate their bilingualism, have gratitude for the pressure to mature at an early age, and develop a desire to become the next generation of community servants and leaders." –Diana Patterson, SLI Board of Directors, DSP Marketing & Consulting, Winchester

COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

SLI’s community of support includes many businesses and organizations such as Sentara Health, Cargill, Merck, and F&M Bank; many foundations such as the Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation; and many, many generous individuals.