The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, the largest philanthropic organization in New England focused exclusively on education, announced Mission Hill-based Sociedad Latina among the seven finalists for its first-ever Nellie Mae Education Foundation Youth Organizing Award. This $50,000 award honors a New England youth organizing group that has shown tremendous commitment to advancing student-centered learning or redesigning education to meet the needs of all students – specifically focused on public secondary education.
“Our seven Youth Organizing Award finalists are leaders in promoting student ownership and voice as part of school decision-making in New England,” said Nick Donohue, president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation. “These students have committed themselves to improving educational experiences for their peers while building the knowledge and skills which will serve them long after graduation. I’m proud to offer a well-deserved congratulations on the great work they’ve achieved as well as the impact they are making for future students.”
From November 1 at 12:00 PM EST – November 30 at 12:00 PM EST, the public is invited to vote for finalists through email on the Students at the Center Hub and via text message. The organization with the most votes will receive a $50,000 grant to continue the organization’s work around advancing student-centered learning or redesigning education to meet the needs of all students. The finalists include:
Sociedad Latina works in partnership with youth and families to create the next generation of Latino leaders who are confident, competent, self-sustaining and proud of their cultural heritage. Across Boston, Sociedad Latina focuses on supporting the unmet needs of youth and families through civic engagement, academic support, workforce development, and arts & culture programs. Over the years, the organization’s youth community organizers have achieved a number of notable campaign victories, including the creation of a Youth Advisory to the Boston Public School Office of Opportunity and Achievement Gap – to improve outcomes for young men of color. They have also been instrumental in pushing the Boston Public School system to embrace the importance of cultural proficiency within the district. Currently, the group is working on a college and career readiness campaign with a focus on culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, programs and policies.
