LEAP Renews its Commitment to Corporate Citizenry

WASHINGTON - Jan. 19, 2018 - PRLog -- CNN reported in a July Money feature that, in 2015, the 55 million Latinos living and working in the United States were responsible for $2.13 trillion of the country's $18.04 trillion gross domestic product – that's 11.8% (http://money.cnn.com/2017/07/01/news/economy/latinos-u-s-economy/index.html) of U.S. dollars stimulated by the employment of the Hispanic population. By 2020, the same research has indicated that Latino employment will be behind a quarter of the country's gross domestic product. The Latino Donors Collaborative credits a growing number of young Hispanics who will replace America's retiring Baby Boomers for this boost to the economy. Executive director Ana Valdez said this "hard-working, productive, and essential part of American economic growth and American society" is the fuel behind the fire that will continue to spread.

But it hasn't been an easy road for many Hispanics who have settled here in the United States – yes, the college graduation rate of Hispanics continues to increase, but these students are faced with challenges that their non-Latino counterparts are not. There are language barriers, cultural adversities and a history of early education drop-outs that entrap generations of families.

But two Washington, D.C.-based organizations are working together to break the cycle that prevents young Latino Americans and Hispanics from pursuing graduation and a higher education. LEAP LLC, its partner nonprofit, LEAP Foundation DC, and the Latino Student Fund (LSF) are together addressing the disadvantaged population of minority groups by offering programs in support of "bridging the gap between hope and achievement." And for the more than 800,000 Latinos living in the D.C. area, this means a chance to join the movement of a growing Hispanic workforce.

LEAP LLC, founded in 2007, addresses the medical needs of the veteran population across the country by ensuring that medical facilities are appropriately staffed and equipped to care for those serving in the military. Its nonprofit foundation – LEAP Foundation DC – zones in on a similar need for youth residing in the District of Columbia. The Foundation provides educational and training opportunities that advocate for the health and wellness of community members, delivers services to individuals and families in need and supports local organizations in their efforts to improve their community.

As part of LEAP's efforts to secure and sustain a positive future for D.C.'s disadvantaged youth, the Foundation has awarded academic scholarships since its inception. In December 2017, LEAP awarded the first-ever Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton Scholarship to Gissell Botero, a neuroscience major on track for a pre-med degree at Bucknell University. The scholarship, named in honor of the longstanding and vital support of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, recognizes a student who, in the face of diversity, has continued on the path to higher education.

"It gives us great honor from LEAP Foundation DC to present this scholarship to support Gissell's studies abroad in Copenhagen," said Dr. Clayton Lawrence, LEAP Foundation DC president and CEO. "She has been a role model and fine example of the students we at LEAP Foundation want to support to build a bridge between hope and achievement."

And there couldn't be a better person to honor alongside Gissell than Congresswoman Norton.

"It gives me great honor, because of all the work that Congresswoman Norton has done over the years to support our students at LEAP Foundation DC, including youth scholar Kevin Akers and now Gissell, to name the scholarship that Gissell is the first recipient for in Congresswoman Norton's honor," said Dr. Lawrence. "We, at LEAP Foundation DC, have committed that we will be giving the scholarship in Congresswoman Norton's name each year, annually, from this point forward."

Botero is an alumni of the Latino Student Fund, a group that is devoted to addressing disparities in access to education for Hispanic students in Washington, D.C. She immigrated here with her mother at 11 years old and not only faced the challenge of adjusting to a new home and culture, but needed to learn a new language in the process. The Eleanor Holmes Norton Scholarship will allow Botero to continue her education in Copenhagen, where she has been accepted into a medical program.

"The best honor you can give a student is some money," said Congresswoman Norton, after receiving recognition for the scholarship.

The efforts of LEAP have not been without incredible support. The organization recently recognized the tireless work and support of Mayor Muriel Bowser. The Public Service Award, given at the Foundation's annual Toy Drive, was in honor of the mayor's dedication to the residents across all eight wards of the District. The historical educational investments Ms. Bowser has made for the area's youth has led to the recognition as the fastest-improving urban school district in the nation.

"We have a lot to be thankful for in this city," Bowser said. "For the Latino Student Fund, thank you for the work that you do with the young people, because it's more important now than ever that we have proper support for our kids. You know about the news cycle. It thrives on bad news, but there is a lot of good news about kids all around our city. They're excelling, they're making us proud around this nation and I don't know about you, but I intend to double down on them every step of the way."

The Foundation's annual toy drive, held December 19, has provided Christmas joy to up to 250 children who would otherwise not experience Christmas each year since it began in 2009. This past year's "adoptions" included two families, both participants of the Latino Student Fund. The organization provides access to the best educational opportunities offered in the D.C. area. LEAP reached out to this fellow community organization as a way to merge efforts to lift up disadvantaged residents.

"LEAP is pleased to renew its commitment to working with valued community groups and citizens to make lasting changes in our nation's capital and the surrounding communities in 2018" stated Dr. Lawrence, LEAP's CEO & President.

For more information about the valuable work LEAP LLC and its partner LEAP Foundation is completing across the country, visit http://www.leap4staffing.com or http://www.leapfoundationdc.org.