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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
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BELMONT — Latino families who face financial barriers to higher education and career opportunities are about to receive help from a new partnership between LAWA (Latin Americans Working for Achievement) and Belmont Abbey College.

The college will match scholarship grants for LAWA students from low- to moderate-income families attending the college, doubling their award. The new program recognizes that finances often keep Latino families in the Charlotte region from gaining access to high-quality post-secondary career opportunities. In partnership with LAWA, Belmont Abbey will also host a workshop dedicated to helping students with FAFSA (student aid applications) and making college more accessible. The workshop will take place on Belmont Abbey’s campus on Thursday, Dec. 9.

“We feel incredibly grateful to Belmont Abbey College for partnering with us,” said LAWA Executive Director Ana S. Rey. “Our partnership will allow our organization to reach more Latino homes in Gaston County.”

LAWA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the education and quality of life for the Latino community in the Charlotte region through scholarships and career-readiness programs. Through collaboration with community organizations, LAWA offers youth scholarship programs and workshops to Latino high school students who might not see college as a possibility.

The initiatives with Belmont Abbey College aim to close Latino academic achievement gaps, improve Latino high school graduation rates and increase the number of Latino students who pursue and complete post-secondary study in Gaston County. These efforts are crucial, as the majority of LAWA scholarship recipients are first-generation college students.

“At Belmont Abbey, we’re excited about the opportunity to positively impact our local Latino community by providing them with a liberal arts education that prepares them – mind, body and spirit – to pursue the good for themselves and their communities,” said Martin Aucoin, vice provost and dean of admissions at Belmont Abbey College. “We welcome the talents of everyone, from any background and tradition, who is committed to fostering the development of the whole person and contributing to the mission of the college.”

The initiative with LAWA aligns with Belmont Abbey’s aim to offer an environment where students can work toward their full potential.

LAWA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization serving Mecklenburg and adjacent counties. The organization’s mission is to advance the education and quality of life of Latinos in the Charlotte region through scholarships and academic and cultural programs. It is online at www.lawanc.org.

— Belmont Abbey College