Article On Local Grants Given To Hispanics

December 8, 2008
Writer: Lisa Rose Woodworth, 435-797-0810, lisa.woodworth@usu.edu
Contact: Hector Mendiola, 435-760-0581, hectorm@ext.usu.edu

HISPANIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AWARDED GRANTS

LOGAN — The Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City recently secured $90,100 in grants for the 2008-2009 year from the Government of Mexico to fund seven educational institutions in Utah and Idaho for Hispanic adults.

The IME-Becas Grant was awarded through a program of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. The program is designed to give scholarships to Hispanics older than 15 for courses in literacy, English and computers, as well as continued education at the elementary, high school or vocational levels.

The Utah State University Extension/Monterrey Tec/USU Charter Credit Union/Logan High School Community Learning Center was given $13,000 of the lump sum to continue English as a Second Language and basic computer skills courses in Spanish.

“This is a good way for Latino families to get a higher education,” said Hector Mendiola, Utah State University Extension program leader for Latino communities. “The grant encourages Latino adults to improve their education and participate in the schools that educate their children.”

USU Extension is a partner of the learning center at Logan High School, providing instruction, technology and high-quality online programs for bilingual education and continuing to strengthen associations with USU Charter Credit Union, Logan City, Cache County, Granite and Salt Lake school districts, the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City and Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, México, to improve the educational program and bring minority and Latino students and families to higher education.

 “Supported by an association dedicated to Mexican education, Utah schools are improving the learning opportunities for minorities that enhance self-reliance and help them overcome cultural challenges,” Mendiola said. “USU Extension congratulates the Mexican government education efforts and will continue collaborating to keep these educational programs running and to disseminate them around the state.”

 

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