Ford Motor Company Fund Launches New Program To Address Latino Dropout Rate
WASHINGTON, -- Ford Motor Company Fund and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) are partnering to address the high school dropout rate among Latino students across the country. Under the new program, Ford Driving Dreams through Education, ten LULAC Councils will receive grants to develop projects that provide local solutions that tackle this important issue. About 45 percent of Hispanic students do not complete high school on time. Yet recent studies also show that most students understand the value of having a high school diploma and don't want to drop out of school. "Education is a top priority for Ford and we are pleased to partner with LULAC to help Latino youth stay the course and achieve academic success, "said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. "This generation represents our future and we believe it is important to support them in fulfillment of their dreams." Each of the ten LULAC Councils that are selected will receive up to $20,000 from Ford Motor Company Fund to support implementation of their projects during a period covering two school years. The winning councils will engage their communities through creative, localized and sustainable programs that take into account their respective educational issues, resources and support systems. "At LULAC we've always had a focus on education as an important part of our work in the Hispanic community," said Brent Wilkes, executive director, LULAC. "As such, we are proud to work with Ford in building our councils' local community insight and challenge their creativity to submit proposals that provide solutions to help Latino youth stay in school and achieve on time high school graduation." Ford and LULAC National will accept proposals through May 21. The ten winning projects will be announced on July 16during the LULAC National Convention to an audience of more than 20,000, including top leaders from government, business & the Hispanic community. For more information about Ford Driving Dreams through Education, or to submit a proposal, visit www.lulac.org. About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford operates. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2009 and made possible by funding from Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, Ford employees and retirees participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visitwww.community.ford.com. About the League of United Latin American Citizens LULAC is the largest and older Hispanic Organization in the United States. LULAC advances the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. For more information on LULAC, visit www.lulac.org. SOURCE League of United Latin American Citizens; Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
