   LUCA Takes DC! Elevating Voices and Lifting Up our Community The LUCA team proudly joined hundreds of affiliate organizations at the nation’s capital for the UnidosUS Changemakers Summit 2025! From February 24-26, we gathered with industry leaders and nonprofit organizations across the United States to advocate for policies that empower our communities and advance educational opportunity and economic mobility. The Summit aims to inspire collective action through advocacy, leadership development and strategic collaboration. We met with Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill to advocate for policies that impact our Scholars and their college dreams, sharing the experiences and challenges faced by the families and communities we serve. We are committed to continuing our efforts and supporting our extraordinary Scholars—they are the future of our beautiful, thriving communities! Participating in the Summit and Congressional visits: Christine Louvet, Board Chair, Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, Founder & Executive Director, Grace Battaglia, Sr. Manager, Development & Communications, Diana Barrera, Director of Integrated Operations, Alondra Vallejo, LUCA Scholar ’21 – George Washington University ’25.  EXCITING PARTNERSHIP WITH JACOB BURNS We are excited to partner with the Jacob Burns Film Center on this meaningful film series, NUESTRA FAMILIA, March 3 – 17. Celebrate the stories of Latino families in the U.S. – shining a light on their struggles, their triumphs, and their adventures. Nuestro Cine: Nuestra Familia is an appreciation of the onscreen families that remind us of those who love us, support us, and are with us through life’s highs and lows. Click here for more information or to purchase your tickets for this powerful film series. Use coupon code MICORAZON for a special member discount (limited to two tickets per code). We look forward to seeing you!   COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES The success of our students speaks for itself—thanks to their hard work and the support of our LUCA community. We are proud to celebrate an outstanding number of college acceptances this year! Our students have been admitted to a diverse range of institutions, an important step towards each of their future. These acceptances are a testament to their dedication, resilience, and the collective efforts of our coaches and LUCA staff members who have guided them along the way. Help us provide the guidance, resources, and mentorship students need to achieve college acceptance and success. Together, we can empower the next generation—one acceptance letter at a time! COLLEGE ACCESS LUCA’s interview process is a key step in selecting highly motivated first-generation Latino students for our College Access Program. Students are nominated by guidance staff from our partner school districts throughout Westchester County. Our goal is to ensure that students who join are committed to their academic success, and to engage fully in our mentorship and support services. The interview process is designed to be welcoming and encouraging, providing students with the opportunity to share their unique stories. During one interview, a prospective student was asked, The student’s response was both inspiring and heartfelt: “I want to trust the experts with my dreams!”  LUCA ALUM Miryam was a LUCA Scholar from the Class of 2016, and we are overjoyed to share that is now in her first year at SUNY Upstate Medical School! After graduating from the City College of New York in 2020, Miryam contributed to LUCA’s mission as the Financial Aid Advisor before embarking on her medical school journey. Her accomplishment of gaining acceptance into medical school is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and determination—qualities that set LUCA Scholars apart. Their success not only reflects personal achievement but also inspires future generations, promotes diversity in healthcare, and helps address health disparities in Latino populations. Some of our additional LUCA Med School Scholars include: Darwin A., University of Michigan Medical School, Sabrina M., Duke University School of Medicine, and Jhoely D., Weill Cornell Medical College.   CATHY MARONEY Cathy, a first-generation college student, transitioned from a 25-year corporate career to teaching Writing and Literature at Westchester Community College, drawn by its diverse and motivated students. She joined LUCA as a staff member in July 2024, inspired by its mission. She is supporting LUCA’s Corporate Partnerships and Volunteer Operations. Cathy holds a BA in English from Fordham University and an MS from Columbia University Journalism School, where she earned the Newswomen’s Club of New York scholarship.  Inspire Future Leaders—Become a LUCA Coach! Join LUCA as a volunteer college coach and help make college dreams a reality for our high school seniors! To learn more, attend our virtual info session on Wednesday, March 18th, from 12:00–1:00 p.m. Register below and share with family, friends, and colleagues! For information about becoming one of our College Coaches, please reach out to Cathy at cmaroney@latinou.org.  FAFSA BOOT CAMPS DRIVE STUDENT SUCCESS Our LUCA FAFSA Boot Camps, held in-person at our partner high schools, have been a tremendous success, empowering students and their families with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the financial aid process. We have helped 213 students complete their applications, and 294 family members accompanied their students at these workshops. The positive feedback and high engagement levels demonstrate the significant impact of these sessions in reducing financial barriers and promoting college accessibility. The dedication of our LUCA volunteers makes a remarkable impact in our FAFSA Boot Camps. A total of 56 volunteers generously contributed 1,176 hours of their time, guiding students and their families through the process.   TRANSFORMING LIVES & FULFILLING DREAMS LUCA | Latino U College Access     |
