Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN) has announced the award of a $92,550 grant to the University of Nebraska at Kearney for its College Readiness for Hispanics Program.
The funds will be used to increase college attendance aspiration among Hispanic youth in central Nebraska through targeted community engagement and campus programming by UNK.
“It’s so important for families and their children to learn early about college and how investing and preparing for higher education can change their lives and communities,” said Kelly Bartling, UNK vice chancellor for enrollment management and marketing. “The generous support of Women Investing in Nebraska helps UNK get students on a college campus, attend leadership and career opportunities and increase our partnership with community organizations to build awareness and confidence in higher education.”
Through various planned opportunities, students and their families will have opportunities to learn about higher education and identify career paths through interactive workshops in Lexington, Grand Island and Kearney.
Hispanics and Latinos historically trail other ethnic groups in attending college. By 2050, their population in Nebraska is expected to grow to more than 500,000 individuals, an increase of more than 220% to make up almost a quarter of the state’s total population. Currently, about 1 in 8 students attending UNK are Hispanic or Latino.
WIN also awarded a $92,550 grant to the Child Advocacy Center of Nebraska, which will use the funds to develop a children’s medical clinic at its satellite location in York.
About 225 WIN members contributed personally to make the grants possible, and committee members reviewed proposals in a four-step process culminating in a membership vote for the two recipients. WIN’s membership is comprised of women in and outside Nebraska who, through their collective giving, address issues that matter to Nebraskans.
“WIN members continue to make a significant impact within our state, as seen in the grants we’ve been able to award this year to highly deserving organizations and projects,” WIN Chair Susan Fritz of Crete said. “Each year, we witness the great concern and support that the University of Nebraska and Nebraska’s many nonprofit organizations have for people and communities across our great state.”
WIN Grants Committee Chair Vanessa Denney of Omaha said this year marks the organization’s 11th annual grant awards program.
“WIN seeks out projects that apply bold new ideas and approaches to important issues in our state,” Denney said. “As we study grant proposals, it’s humbling to see such amazing creativity, commitment and compassion.”
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