Atlanta, Ga. – December 8, 2016: The Latin American Association (LAA) announced today it has received a $20,000 grant from the Comcast Foundation. The grant will support the LAA’s Latino Youth Leadership Academy, which is focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and digital literacy programming for local Latino students.

The Academy addresses the challenges that impede educational success for low-income, at-risk Latino youth.  The program ensures students graduate from high school prepared for college and their careers through working with Latino students, parents and educators that includes STEM academic and enrichment programming, parent engagement and educator training.  Year-round afterschool and summer programming provides students and parents uninterrupted, holistic support from middle school entry through high school graduation.

“The Latin American Association is incredibly grateful for our long-standing partnership with Comcast,” said Elizabeth Sirk, Managing Director of Development for the LAA. “Comcast has been a great corporate supporter of the LAA, and its employees continue to be very active corporate volunteers who provide critical, hands-on support for our programs.”

Founded in 1972 to serve Atlanta’s then-emerging Latino population, the LAA has grown to become the region’s leading agency representing Latino issues. The 44-year history and community-based mission of the LAA makes the organization truly unique in its work and capabilities.  The LAA is the largest, most trusted and only fully bilingual agency in the region dedicated exclusively to the needs and concerns of the Latino community.

The Latino Youth Leadership Academy operates at five underperforming Title 1 middle and high schools in metro Atlanta, serving 275 students in afterschool and summer programs, 200 parents of participating students and 500 educators of Latino youth each year.

“We are proud to continue our collaboration with the Latin American Association here in Atlanta,” said Andy Macke, Vice President of External Affairs. “Their mission of empowering local students to reach their academic and professional goals aligns perfectly with our core values, and we couldn’t be more excited to provide this support.”

Earlier this year, more than 40 Comcast employee volunteers participated in the 2016 Comcast Cares Day held at the LAA in Norcross.  Volunteers helped with facilities maintenance projects to update and beautify their facility and surrounding property.  Children of Comcast employees also volunteered by creating art work to display in both the LAA’s Gwinnett and Atlanta service centers.

Since 2011, Comcast and the Comcast Foundation have dedicated more than $240 million in cash and in-kind support to fund digital readiness initiatives nationwide, reaching nearly 3.2 million people through non-profit, digital literacy partners.