For 75 years, the Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF) has been a staple in Colorado for Latino students and the Latino community.
Founded by a group of men and women seeking to ensure Colorado Latinos have access to higher education, LAEF has grown to be a leader in meeting the higher educational needs of Colorado Latino students. The organization was started in 1949 and is the oldest Latino scholarship foundation in Colorado.
Today, LAEF has grown to offer ongoing support and advisement to the students and families it serves. The organization has awarded over 7,000 scholarships to Colorado Latinos and is focused on community, equity, integrity, and leadership. It is also driven to make the dreams of our ancestors come true through innovation and building the capacity of the Colorado Latino community.
This Saturday, March 16, LAEF will be celebrating its 75th anniversary at its annual gala. The gala, which will take place at Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, will include dinner and programming, dancing, and a silent auction.
Food will be prepared by Chef Dana Rodriguez of Cantina Loca and entertainment will include music from DJ Chonz and Mariachi Los Correcaminos de MSU Denver. Items available for auction include an autographed Nuggets basketball, travel opportunities, tickets to local events like Meow Wolf and other Denver museums, and much more. Proceeds from the event benefit LAEF.
Information about the gala, along with a link to the auction page where you can bid on items, can be found by visiting https://laefcolorado.org/events.
“Seventy-five years later, (LAEF’s) mission remains the same: we invest in the promise of Colorado Latino students through scholarships, educational opportunities, and community partnerships so they can achieve their highest potential. This hallmark 75-year celebration is about honoring every Latino and ally that has helped make higher education a reality for over 7,000 Colorado Latino students,” said LAEF Director of Development Sarah Alarcon. We are honored to have Dana Rodriguez, one of Colorado’s great culinary treasures, curate a culturally rich and delicious menu for our guests and honorees. At this event, we will celebrate alongside the University of Colorado, our presenting diamond sponsor. It is thanks to our higher education partners that we’re able to multiply the impact for our students.”
Last year, LAEF awarded $270,000 in scholarships to 128 Latino scholars across the state, including in the Denver metro area, northern Colorado, the western slope, southern Colorado, and the eastern planes. Around 85 percent of the organization’s scholars are the first in their family to attend college.
The organization also plans to honor its long-standing community partner, U.S. Bank, who Alarcon described as a business who believes education is the key to unlocking individual and collective power in the Latino community.
“This celebration is about connection, realizing the impact a small, but mighty group of Latinos can have on our community, and about making sure higher education is a reality for Latino students,” said Alarcon.
