The nonprofit organization that canceled its Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade in Brentwood this year for lack of funds announced that it will continue its 46-year-old program to award scholarships to college-bound students of Hispanic heritage in the county.
Adelante of Suffolk County, based in Brentwood and Central Islip, will accept applications on
June 16 for the one-time scholarships, which range from $500 to $2,000 for up to 10 worthy candidates.
Adelante executive director Miriam M.E. Garcia said that, despite trouble raising money, board members did not want to quit a program that has awarded more than $250,000 to area students in 15 years.
They are appealing to corporations, community members and former scholarship recipients to contribute to keep it going.
“Our youth needs that help more than ever at this time,” Garcia said.
The scholarships’ fundraising effort usually was tied to the parade and a gala event. But another community group, Teatro Yerbabruja, announced it is organizing the traditional parade after Adelante said it could not afford it this year.
High school seniors seeking the scholarships need to submit applications in person and be interviewed by group officials.
They also have to maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better, submit letters of recommendation and write a 300-word essay on challenges faced by the Latino community.
Application materials, instructions and relevant contact information will be posted on the group’s website,
adelantesc.org
.
