The Tri-City Latino Association Creates Scholarships for Students of Hispanic and/or Latin Descent

By D.T.

Columbus, GA – The Tri-City Latino Association is a nonprofit association best known for organizing the Tri-City Latino Festival, which takes place annually during National Hispanic Heritage Month and aims to celebrate, enjoy and share the culture of the diverse Latino people present in the city. 

However, this association engages in various activities during the rest of the year as well, with some of the board members being part of other groups focused on aiding and assisting the Latino community. The greater purpose of their social endeavors and philanthropy includes genuine representation, inclusion, opportunity creation, and cultural celebration. These purposes are carried out in different areas, from the organization of celebrations and social or sporting events, to donations and collaborations with entities such as WHINSEC in Fort Moore, in connection with the festival, and the Hispanic Outreach Committee.

Thus, the association sets its sights on the future and readies itself to present educational opportunities and support that encourages members of the Latino community to build a better life. That is why, for the first time in its history, the Tri City Latino Association will launch this year a call to obtain the scholarship baptized The TCLA Harold “Lefty” Encarnación Scholarship Program, sponsored by themselves and their collaborators. Although the details of the formal requirements to obtain the scholarship have not yet been officially released, it is possible to anticipate that it is aimed at Latin American or Hispanic descendants who are residents of the Columbus, Fort Moore and Phoenix City area, who must also be students at middle school, high school or university level. 

For students on the middle school level, the scholarship will consist of one year of financial support in a youth organization of the recipient's choice. For both high school and university levels, the scholarship will consist of a learning program with one of the mentor organizations that collaborate with the association. The learning areas are yet to be announced, as it will depend on the mentors. Additionally, students must submit an essay expressing their vision on how to bridge diverse walks of life through a celebration of Latin heritage.

The idea of ​​financing and granting a scholarship aimed at the Latino community has been formulated and considered by the association from the desire to contribute to the community in a significant way; not only with celebrations, and consequently, create a decisive, positive and lasting impact in the community, reminding Latinos that despite the difficulties that arise in their lives as minorities in the country, they have opportunities and support from their fellow Latinos. 

While it is true that there are already associations that make contributions to the Latino community, the Tri City Latino Association wishes to concentrate its efforts on providing specific services regarding educational and professional development, and encourage the community to not only get involved in the various activities or events created for them, but also to actively seek out such opportunities. According to the coordinator of volunteers, contracts and community, Ms. Rosado, “It often happens in the Hispanic community that people are timid because of the language barrier, but in reality, there are various educational and work opportunities and services for them, it is a matter of taking a chance”

The noble aspirations of those who have the call to solidarity to our fellow human beings are essential for the development of an equitable society that offers opportunities and encourages its members to take advantage of them with perseverance and resilience. 

The call for the scholarship will be launched around September 30^th 2024 with an application deadline of April 6^th, 2025.