Verizon Stories Archives - US Tech Future

Verizon Stories: TELACU

Posted on October 13, 2022May 19, 2023

For SGA members Sophia Garcia and Erica Jacquez, the connection to The East Los Angeles Education Community Union (TELACU) Foundation is personal.

TELACU has been transforming educational outcomes for thousands of first-generation students from under-resourced communities since 1968 and has been a pillar of excellence for the Latinx community.

SGA member Sophia Garcia noted “I am incredibly grateful to TELACU for investing in my future to turn my dream college, Pepperdine University, into a reality. It’s an honor to be among such an esteemed group of TELACU scholars and I remain committed to continuing to pay it forward as they have done for generations.”

Erica Jacquez remarked ““TELACU is more than a community foundation scholarship and exemplary Latino leadership; they are my family. As a first-generation student, the Lizárraga’s supported me in pursuing my Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Doctoral Degree from USC.”

For Priscilla (Senior Vice President) and David Lizárraga (Founder & Chairman), the most rewarding aspect of their work is providing necessary education to make a lasting impact in the communities they serve. Verizon is proud to support TELACU’s commitment to Latino excellence, particularly through their stem education and Business Initiative.

To learn more about TELACU, check out Rudy Reyes’ interview with Patricia Lizárraga, Senior Vice President, and David Lizárraga, Founder & Chairman, below!

Verizon Stories: Mario Acosta-Velez & The Latino Student Fund

Posted on October 5, 2022May 19, 2023

Feeling isolated in the midst of the pandemic, graduating senior Stephanie Duque turned to the Latino Student Fund (LSF) for out of school enrichment, professional opportunities, and assistance through the college application process.

LSF is a Washington, DC based organization that is committed to providing year-round, out-of-school-time programs for low-income, at-risk students and their families with the goal of increasing levels of educational attainment in the community.

Stephanie remarked “Living through a very isolating pandemic, this program was able to help me feel connected to my peers and provided opportunities we don’t always have as students of color. As a graduating senior I’m grateful to have had the LSF guide me with the next steps for my education with the support of Verizon.”

Verizon is proud to partner with LSF in pursuit of more robust educational opportunities for students. As LSF President and CEO Maria Fernanda Borja remarked, “the LSF has always known that moving a community forward shouldn’t just be on the shoulders of our future generation of leaders, but should be accomplished when children and adults can come together to improve their environment.”

Verizon Stories: Adriana Dawson & 3B Thrift Shop

Posted on October 4, 2022January 8, 2023

Jessica Crespa is the owner of 3B Thrift Shop. She moved to the mainland from Puerto Rico in 2012 with her two daughters, primarily to seek medical treatment for her oldest. Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit, Jessica enrolled in Incubadora, a 10-week Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) business education program that covers business and financial planning, marketing, and access to capital.

Following her graduation from Incubadora in December 2021, she shared that the program, “…gave me the motivation and strategies that I’ll need to launch a successful business, along with a ton of ideas on how to promote it on a budget.”

Within the past year she completed her business plan, was awarded a $5,000 SEG micro-grant to assist with 3B’s launch and held her grand opening in Cumberland, Rhode Island, on July 30th.

Verizon is proud to partner with SEG and their initiatives like Incubadora, nurturing inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems by providing support and networks for entrepreneurs committed to positive societal and economic change, just like Jessica.

Verizon Stories: Matthew Clark & Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.

Posted on September 26, 2022January 8, 2023

When Valerie, a survivor of domestic abuse, needed community support to rehabilitate both her and her son’s lives, she turned to Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), Inc. for their comprehensive set of services.

CPLC is an organization dedicated to providing a safe, secure haven for families to heal from the traumatizing effects of abuse. One of their programs, De Colores, is focused on protecting survivors of domestic violence–like Valerie and her son, Robert.

Valerie received support for court proceedings, and assistance in school registration for Robert, including a new computer. The legal and youth advocates provided by CLPC to Valerie helped her testify in court. After two months, Valerie and Robert exited the program into their new apartment, and they continue to receive services and support through the program.

Verizon is proud to support CPLC in its effort to ensure vulnerable families like Valerie and Robert can access the support they need.

Verizon Stories: Justin Tanner & The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!)

Posted on September 21, 2022May 19, 2023

Victor Sanchez-Chacon was born without the ability to hear or speak in Mexico, where he spent most of his childhood before moving to Alabama at age 15, becoming a lawful permanent resident.

After nearly 20-years, Victor was able to apply for citizenship after his wife discovered a medical exemption for him. The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (¡HICA!) provided them with the legal immigration services they needed to file the proper paperwork, and helped to navigate through the medical exemption process. With the help of their legal immigration services Victor fully realized his lifelong dream of becoming a legal U.S. citizen on January 31, 2022.

¡HICA! is a community development and advocacy organization that champions economic equality, civic engagement, and social justice for Latinx families in Alabama through culturally specific, bilingual Spanish/English services.

Verizon is proud to support ¡HICA!, and their Citizenship & Immigration program, which helps support individuals just like Victor in their goals of becoming full U.S. citizens.

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