Latino U College Access (LUCA)

Exciting News! ?? We are incredibly grateful to the Hispanic Federation for awarding LUCA a Latino CORE grant! This generous $15,000 grant, provided through the Latino CORE Initiative, will support critical technology infrastructure and security upgrades, ensuring we can better serve our first-generation Scholars and their families. With this funding, LUCA will upgrade connectivity, enhance cybersecurity, improve collaboration tools, and strengthen IT support, ensuring efficiency and protection as we grow. These upgrades will allow us to expand our impact while continuing to provide culturally relevant, high-quality support to our Scholars. Thank you, Hispanic Federation, for investing in LUCA’s mission and empowering our community! ?? #LUCA #HispanicFederation #LatinoCORE #CollegeSuccess #FirstGen

? We’re Hiring: Join Our Leadership Team at LUCA! ? LUCA is seeking a Director of Programs to lead and grow our signature programs! If you're a strategic leader with a passion for college access, team management, and creating lasting impact, this is your chance to make a difference! ?? Apply now: https://loom.ly/Qg5KTtA ... #NowHiring #DirectorOfPrograms #JoinOurTeam #LUCA #MakeAnImpact

?? Choosing the Right College: Scholars in Action! ?? At this month’s LUCA workshop, our Scholars took a deep dive into their college options, researching and ranking their top choices based on key factors like location, housing, extracurriculars, and academic programs. They explored what truly makes a school the right fit for them—marking off must-haves and tallying up which colleges checked all their boxes! ??? By the end of the session, they had a clearer picture of where they’d thrive the most. Making an informed decision is key, and we’re so proud to see our Scholars taking charge of their futures! #SiSePuede #FirstGen #LUCA #FirstGenSuccess #EmpoweredScholars #CollegeBound

? Padres Charla y Cafecito: Empowering Parents on the College Journey ?? Last Thursday, LUCA hosted an inspiring session where our parents came together to learn how to best support their children on their college journey. Our panel of three incredible LUCA moms—Maria S., Libia A., and Nancy P.—shared their personal stories about the challenges and triumphs of guiding their children, from learning where they would go to navigating the emotional journey of letting go and embracing their new roles as college parents. Nancy P., a proud LUCA mom, shared a heartfelt moment: "Last year, I was sitting there, I think in the corner, scared. I was wondering: What am I going to do? Where is he going? I'm going to miss him! But now I know that what I need to continue giving my son is the confidence that he can do anything. The only thing we should do as parents is give them that confidence, advise them, and tell them: Don’t worry, everything will be fine." It was an empowering conversation that highlighted the strength and resilience of these parents in supporting their children every step of the way. Together, we’re building a community that uplifts our Scholars and their families. #LUCA #FirstGen #CollegeJourney #Familia #SiSePuede #LUCAParents

?? Celebrating Andrea Stewart-Cousins | Women’s History Month ?? Andrea Stewart-Cousins has broken barriers and redefined leadership as the first woman and first Black woman to lead the New York State Senate. Her dedication to education and opportunity has made a lasting impact on our communities—especially for first-generation and low-income students striving for a brighter future. As a champion for education, she has helped ensure that students have the resources they need to succeed, reinforcing LUCA’s mission of empowering first-gen Scholars to reach their full potential. Her leadership is a reminder that representation matters and that every student deserves access to higher education. At LUCA, we celebrate Andrea Stewart-Cousins for paving the way for future leaders and for being a dedicated advocate for students like ours. ??? #FirstGen #SiSePuede #WomensHistoryMonth #AndreaStewartCousins #EducationForAll #BreakingBarriers #FutureLeaders

?? Celebrating Justice Sonia Sotomayor | Women’s History Month ?? Justice Sonia Sotomayor is a powerful example of perseverance and the transformative power of education. Growing up in the Bronx, she worked hard, pursued knowledge, and became the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. For first-generation students, seeing someone like Sotomayor—who was also the first in her family to attend college—go on to achieve such remarkable success is more than inspiring. It’s proof that their dreams are within reach and that education can open doors to incredible opportunities. At LUCA, we help our Scholars turn possibility into reality through guidance, mentorship, and access to higher education. ?? #FirstGen #SiSePuede #WomensHistoryMonth #SoniaSotomayor #LatinaLeaders #FirstGenPride #EducationForAll

LUCA Familia – Reminder! ??? In case you missed it, we’re partnering with Jacob Burns Film Center for NUESTRA FAMILIA, a powerful film series that’s already underway and running through March 17! ??? Join us as we celebrate Latino families on screen—their struggles, triumphs, and adventures—in stories that reflect the love and support that define our own families. ?? ?? Get your tickets now! Don’t forget to use coupon code MICORAZON for a special member discount (valid for two tickets per code). ?? Click here for more info & tickets: https://loom.ly/XcCacxo We can’t wait to see you there! ?? #NuestraFamilia #NuestroCine #LUCAFamilia #SiSePuede #FirstGen #LUCA

?? FAFSA Season = COMPLETE! ?? We wrapped up this busy season with a delicious FAFSA Lunch, celebrating all the hard work that went into supporting our Scholars and School Partners! A huge thank you to our Founder and Executive Director, Shirley Acevedo Buontempo, for making this gathering possible. ?? We’re deeply grateful to Karen Herrero, owner of Sam's of Gedney Way, and the amazing staff for hosting us—we felt the love! From margherita pizza to sweet treats, every bite was perfection. ?? Here’s to another successful season and the impact we’re making together! #FAFSADone #FirstGen #SiSePuede #LUCA

?? LUCA Celebrates Women's History Month! ?? At LUCA, we are inspired by the strength, resilience, and leadership of women who have shaped education and opened doors for future generations. From educators driving meaningful change to activists, community organizers, creatives, and innovators, these women show the power of empowering individual potential. That same drive for change lives on through our LUCA Scholars—first-generation students who are breaking new ground, championing equal opportunities in education, and paving the way for future generations. ?? Starting this Friday, we’ll spotlight incredible women whose work aligns with LUCA’s mission, including the inspiring journeys of our LUCA Scholars. Stay tuned as we celebrate their stories—and the power of education! ??? #FirstGen #SiSePuede #WHM #WomenTrailblazers #Changemakers

OUR FEBRUARY E-NEWSLETTER IS HERE! ?? Check out inspiring stories and updates from LUCA: ... ?? College Acceptances: LUCA students are heading to top schools thanks to hard work and mentorship! ?? FAFSA Boot Camps: 200+ students helped by 56 volunteers, completing over 1,100 hours of support. ?? LUCA Alum Spotlight: Meet Miryam M., accepted to SUNY Upstate Medical School, and more inspiring stories from our scholars! Click here to read more: https://loom.ly/mqO9qo8 ... #FirstGen #SiSePuede #LUCAImpact #CollegeAccess #FAFSABootCamp #LUCAAlumni