Wilmer Valderrama To Receive Hispanic Caucus Young Latino Leader Award

WASHINGTON, -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) will present actorWilmer Valderrama with the CHCI Service Award at the Young Latinos Leaders Fund event at the City Club on Bunker Hill inLos Angeles on Monday, June 21, 2010.  Valderrama is being honored for his service as the official spokesperson for CHCI'sReady to Lead (R2L) college readiness program that helps Latino high school students prepare for post-secondary education.

Since April 2009, Valderrama has appeared at workshops around the country sharing his life story of achieving the American dream and inspiring youth to pursue their own dreams through higher education.  Valderrama has also filmed several public service announcements for CHCI.

"Wilmer's unwavering commitment to CHCI's Ready to Lead Program exemplifies true leadership as a role model for Latino youth," said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO.  "We need more young, civically engaged Latinos like Wilmer who are dedicated to giving back to the community and using their voice to create positive change."

CHCI will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles to work collaboratively to increase the number of Latino students in the Los Angeles area that are exposed to important information about college affordability, readiness and leadership.

CHCI, a nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, provides leadership development programs and educational services to students and young emerging leaders. The CHCI Board of Directors is comprised of Hispanic Members of Congress, nonprofit, union and corporate leaders. For more information call CHCI at (202) 543-1771 or visit www.chci.org.

SOURCE Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute