Attaining a higher education in the U.S. can be very challenging, especially for those who face socioeconomic and language barriers.
As a first-generation Latina college graduate, Shirley Acevedo Buontempo noticed that many low-income Latino youth were not reaching their full potential because they lacked the resources necessary to understand the college process.
She wanted to close the college equity gap, so in 2012 she founded Latino U College Access (LUCA), a nonprofit organization aimed at increasing college enrollment and completion among first-generation Latino youth.
“I truly believe in the transformative power of an education and I believe in the incredible potential and contributions that Hispanic youth and community can bring, not only to our universities but to our community and our country,” says Buontempo, LUCA’s CEO.
LUCA originally hosted community information sessions in Spanish at local schools in New York. ‑ e sessions discussed financial aid, the college application process, scholarships and transition assistance.
“We wanted to provide culturally relevant bilingual support to Hispanic youth and families in our community,” says Buontempo.
Now, the organization has a variety of programs available for students. LUCA partners with three school districts in New York with an Hispanic student population of 50 percent or more.
