On Monday, March 13th, Stephen Lecce, MPP and Laura Smith, MPP met with the team involved with delivering the programs for Fuerza Latina to hear how a $99,900 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2022 has made an impact for Latino youth. Also in attendance were Anna Roberts, MP for King-Vaughan, Linda Jackson, Deputy Mayor of Vaughan and Laura Parsons, an OTF volunteer.
“Canadians of Hispanic and Latino descent have contributed so much to the growth and prosperity of Ontario, and they are an integral part of our province’s gorgeous cultural mosaic,” said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King-Vaughan. “Our government is proud to partner with Fuerza Latina, and we celebrate the incredible work it does in preparing Hispanic and Latino youth for lifelong success. Fuerza Latina helps to make Vaughan an even better place to live, work, study or raise a family.”
The year-long, $99,900 OTF grant helped Fuerza Latina recover from impacts of COVID-19 by securing staff and technological equipment in order to respond to increasing demand for both virtual and in-person programming and growing its virtual mentoring program. One of the main programs offered by Fuerza Latina, the Youth Mentoring Program, empowers youth in various aspects of their lives and to help them achieve their academic goals. The program focuses on career guidance, development, leadership, and success.
"The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant is extraordinary,” said Gina Balseca, CEO and Founder of Fuerza Latina. “Our organization exists to serve our community and build a better tomorrow for our most vulnerable, our youth. This grant has allowed us to provide invaluable programming to empower, support and guide Latino Youth to reach their career goals.”
Fuerza Latina provides unique programs, cultural events in the community, ranging from the Vaughan Latin Festival, the Latin Excellence Awards, Hispanic Heritage Month, and the City of Vaughan Culture Days - Cultura Latina. On October 14, 2023, Fuerza Latina will celebrate its 20th Anniversary!
For more information on Fuerza Latina’s events and programs, please visit: www.fuerzalatinaservices.org or online at: [ Ссылка ] and/or @FuerzaLatinaYR
